u/RempyAU

Hi all,

I posted not long ago with some plans to update my internal courtyard. I'm happy with the result and looking forward to seeing the ground cover grow in, but open to any feedback/suggestions too.

My current issue is this concrete drain pit. I had to drench it in rust buster to pry the old grate off and clear the pit of all the rocks/junk that had fallen into it. However the result is that the concrete is now more stained.

Can anyone offer any suggestions for cleaning/concealing the oil stains? I tried cat litter and it didn't help much. I was thinking of trying some concrete degreaser but I am worried about damage to the surrounding plants/stones (which is why I've asked here first in a gardening subreddit).

Should I leave it and just wait for the ground cover to conceal it?

First two pics are current (note new oil stains on the drain pit), second two are before.

Hi all,

I am attempting to DIY my next garden project - the internal (northern) courtyard/lightwell in my home in Melbourne. I'm hoping some of you might take a quick look at my plans and let me know what needs to be addressed before I start.

The previous owners had about 150mm of landscaping rocks in this courtyard. I've removed these now and found a surprise drain and vents underneath.

I'm wanting now to add bluestone steppers with dichondra here. The area gets some sun but not a great deal so I think this should be a suitable ground cover. I'll also be adding various pot plants, a trellis on the fence, etc.

I've attached some photos:

• The cross section of intended landscaping
• The current state (now minus remaining rocks)
• The AI generated inspo

A couple of questions:

• Is 50mm crush rock enough for a base? Foot traffic will be almost zero (just watering any plants out there)
• There are no weepholes out here. Based on my research 75mm vertical distance from the threshold should be fine with topsoil up against the brick. I also found I could add some DCP tape along the brick to reduce moisture. Is this acceptable?
• The vents and drain are at the same level, so with 1% fall I will be 20-30mm up the vents. Any ideas how to prevent this (add a lip?)?
• Is 50mm topsoil enough for the dichondra? Would you suggest any different ground cover instead?
• Finally... What could be done better? I have never attempted this kind of project before so I am a bit overwhelmed by the amount of different advice I have come across online when it comes to best practices.

Any and all feedback very welcome and appreciated, thanks!

Hi all,

Is this a stormwater drain or a relief gulley?

Previous owner installed crushed rocks into the courtyard, straight over the top of the drain (second photo). I have since removed the bulk of these rocks to make way for a redesign for the internal courtyard (brick pavers or bluestone steppers with ground cover).

A lot of the fines from the crushed rocks have fallen through the grate. I can't lift the grate, it seems pretty stuck and I don't want to force it.

The house is a 1970s terrace-style build on a small block in inner Melbourne.

Any advice appreciated, best to get a plumber to come and investigate?

Hi all,

After being inspired by a number of incredible courtyard designs (including many I've seen here), I am designing the rear courtyard of my property in Melbourne. It's an 8m long, 5m yard with (angled) car access via a laneway.

At this stage I am trying to get the hardscaping right. I'd really appreciate any feedback, criticisms, ideas, etc.

My main objective has been to design a garden that features:

• a premium/classy/quality but relaxed vibe that feels natural
• a landscape that blends in with the 70's build house (MCM interior design)
• a dual purpose entertainment area that serves as a car park when needed (the angled park is a requirement due to the thin laneway access)
• space for bins (eventually a bin house), a shed (cupboard style) and plenty of native Australian plants
• a sustainable and environmentally conscious area that keeps both me and the bees happy.

I've drawn up dimensionally accurate Sketchup drawings and used them to generate some AI renders (I'm not good at visualising without some assistance).

Currently I am leaning towards incorporating:

• Bluestone steppers from front to back, with ground cover between (dichondra or creeping thyme)
• Decomposed granite (stabilised) for the entertainment zone/car park, installed on road base with geohex for stability
• Corten steel planters and curved flush edging
• Eventually, many more plants, particularly along the edges of the yard to provide privacy

In particular with respect to the hardscaping, would you enjoy living with this garden? What would you change?

Hi all, first home buyer and amateur DIYer here looking to learn something new.

I've recently had this a colourbond roller door installed in my backyard out to the laneway (inner-city Melbourne). There is a 100-150mm gap on both sides of the door between the posts and the boundary fences.

I am wanting to achieve the following objectives:

1. Close the gaps to improve privacy
2. Protect the motor and door lock release cord from being accessible from the laneway.
3. Complete the task inexpensively and with a decent aesthetic.

I was thinking of buying a couple of fence infill panels (to match the door colour), cutting/wrapping them to size/shape, and securing them to the door posts and fences with screws.

Any better suggestions or more detailed advice would be much appreciated!

Cheers!