Stone Gardens vs Grass Gardens

[STEVE G]

It is the stuff used here by those who grow orchids..

Cheers, I know the stuff, you can buy it from agricultural suppliers out of town.

[Spitfire]

.....what is the little brown path to the bench made from? It looks like some kind of matting.

Could be matting DM, but could also be the aesthetic Thai bricks at 5-10 (probably way more in HH though) baht a pop like in the pick below as some use them for borders or paths as below. However, only SJ's wife will know the truth.

[BaaBaa.]

.....what is the little brown path to the bench made from? It looks like some kind of matting.

Could be matting DM, but could also be the aesthetic Thai bricks at 5-10 (probably way more in HH though) baht a pop like in the pick below as some use them for borders or paths as below. However, only SJ's wife will know the truth.

About 10 baht at a place in Pranburi if I remember correctly.

[Spitfire]

Here's a picture of an area that I used that plastic net mesh for under the stones STEVE so can have a look how it turned out. Went for the two tone with the stones in this area too as the Mrs says she likes the effect.

[Nereus]

One thing to keep in mind with the stones is what happens if you have little feet pattering around exploring the new World.

We had a stone feature area when my Granddaughter was still a toddler and I ended up having to pick them all up and grass the area. You would not believe just where some of them ended up; from inside her diapers, in her mouth to in her bed, in the swimming pool to just about everywhere else imaginable.

[STEVE G]

Here's a picture of an area that I used that plastic net mesh for under the stones STEVE so can have a look how it turned out. Went for the two tone with the stones in this area too as the Mrs says she likes the effect.

Yes, that looks good, I'll have to start making some plans for when I get back. I think I'll have to do it in stages as it's quite a large area.

One thing to keep in mind with the stones is what happens if you have little feet pattering around exploring the new World.

I know what you mean but I'll have a gate to stop that kind of thing!

[Nereus]

One thing to keep in mind with the stones is what happens if you have little feet pattering around exploring the new World.

I know what you mean but I'll have a gate to stop that kind of thing!

Erm, well that`s a new word for it!

[Super Joe]

Nice gardens SJ. Maybe your wife could design gardens for other people? Im sure there might be a market for this?

Cheers traveller, I'll pass that on!!

SJ - in the 2nd pic, what is the little brown path to the bench made from? It looks like some kind of matting.

They're these 'red lava' block things, or at least that's what I've heard them called. They're available around town, think they're about 35 Baht each. They're a bit brittle so easy to get the odd chipped corner here or there, plus you often get a layer of their own dust/powder on the top, so not a perfect material for somewhere that's going to get a lot of traffic. But once layed tight together they seem to hold up ok, plus they do look quite nice, add an extra colour dimension to a garden.

Plus they're a handy size, length = double the width...

20120408_132243.jpg (47.34 KiB) Viewed 861 times

20120408_132243b.jpg (39.57 KiB) Viewed 861 times

The Marriott here has them as walling...

hua_hin_marriott2.jpg (44.87 KiB) Viewed 861 times

SJ

[Nereus]

These things are good, but I have not seen them here. Just a matter of time until somebody copies them I expect.

http://www.permapave.com.au/specs/broch ... h-Data.pdf (Google not required)

[PeteC]

Those lava stones in SJ's photos also come in square sizes 40 x 40cm, and half sizes of 40 x 20cm. Not exact as they seem to lose something when they cut them, they'll be odd sized but only off by about 1cm length and/or width. Pete

[magnum]

Just done part of my garden much easier to maintain very happy with result got most of the
stuff from the big art and garden shop going south over flyover on left hand side.

[PeteC]

The edge stones in the above photo reminded that fake railroad ties are also available for borders or walkways, made of concrete. They have the texture lines like a wood tie and even the holes where spikes would have been. The appearance improves as they weather. They're 96-98cm by 16-18cm. The wife recalls a cost of about 150 Baht each. Pete

[STEVE G]

There are plenty of useful ideas on here; I like the idea of the rail tie things and those lava stones look attractive. Also those permapave slabs mentioned by Nereus would be great for paths and drives as I see they're porous. One of the big problems with property developments is the covering of large areas with concrete and using anything porous would greatly reduce run-off and flood dangers.

[hhfarang]

Spitfire, I totally agree with you. The next house (if I live long enough to build another one) will have as little grass as possible. I have a park right now and it is not a failure, in fact it is as beautiful as any park or golf course you'll come across, but it costs between 10 and 15 thousand baht per month to maintain it that way. I think a stone garden would be much cheaper and less stressful in the long run, or even cement painted green!

[Paderborn]

Artificial grass anyone?
I put a small piece down in a very troublesome shady spot
It has been down now about 20 months, it has not faded, it is permiable. I can take it up when the workmen are going to trample all over it, and has fooled lots of people.
It is quite convincing
The rest of the garden is real lawn, (which is time consuming) and pebbles. I am not sure if I can upload the photos but I will give it a go...if they dont upload, some please pm me, and tell me what I am doing wrong thanks paderborn

[img]100_1370[/img]
[img]100_1371[/img]