Your garden has grass, shrubs, trees and flowerbeds - but does it have the right surface
GRASS
A lawn can be started with seed or laid with squares of turf. The shape of the lawn can be designed to suit or alter your space. A square garden space, for example, becomes more attractive with a gently curved lawn bordered by flowerbeds.
Turf can also be laid on a terrace or patio, with some preparation. A coir-based surface called Greenmat, available in the market now, requires just a thin layer of soil and minimal watering, making it the perfect growing medium for terrace gardens.
Though ordinary meadow turf is still commonly used, several varieties of specially cultivated grasses are available in garden nurseries.
Fine bluegrass is high-maintenance but stunning if well cared for. Thin and thick leafed carpet grass needs moderate care. Tufty Korean grass is good for gentle slopes and Oriental gardens and requires no mowing.
Periodic spraying with a weedkiller (preferably organic) can be used in infested areas, and the lawn kept weed-free by maintaining healthy soil conditions. A light top dressing once a year with a mix of organic compost and forest soil rich with decomposed leaves can be done after aerating the soil. To do this, poke 1-inch-deep holes in the lawn every 4 ft. This prevents thatch while allowing the soil to breathe and absorb water and nutrients.
Grass needs good sunlight, so do not attempt a lawn in a shady area. A combination of paving interspersed with grass is ideal so that the area does not get patchy. If sections of the lawn become patchy, re-turfing can be done with grass seeds or by covering the bald areas with fresh squares of turf.
GROUND COVER PLANTS
Good for shady areas under trees, between paving stones and on slopes. Low evergreen and flowering shrubs can be densely planted along a path or steps, as an alternative to grass. They will spread and cover stony and rocky ground, as their roots do not need much soil. If closely planted, they also suppress weeds.
Surface-hugging moneyplant and ivy can be grown on slopes where grass is not a good option. Ground cover plants are almost maintenance-free, with just the occasional trimming and cleaning required to remove dead leaves.
WOOD DECKING
Perfect for terraces and patios, an asset for any garden. A wide range of decking material is now available in India, and texture and colour varies from bleached wood to darker hues. Wood combines well with other hard surfaces. Try out different combinations with compatible finishes — such as rough stone with weatherbeaten wood planks, and smooth granite with fine mosaics. Attention should be given to preparation, laying and aftercare.
STEPS AND PATHS
Levels and steps immediately add interest to a garden and can be an attractive focal point. Surface covers range from bricks laid in patterns to mosaic, stone, wood or tiles for the risers and treads.
Pay attention while choosing and laying so that you get safe, sturdy materials that can withstand the weather.
| MORE TIPS
The smallest garden can be transformed by an attractive floor. You have a vast range of natural and fabricated flooring materials, including the ubiquitous lawn grass, to choose from. If you want a garden floor to showcase your design skills, use different media. |
After scoping out the market, plan your flooring. Start first on paper. Try partnering wood and stone, ceramic mosaic and granite set in patterns, cobblestones with coloured-glass inserts. (Risers in a very visible area can be decorated with mosaic chips in floral or geometric patterns.)
Mix and match wood and grass, stone with coloured marbles and pebbles, mosaic and terracotta tiles. Make your own cement tiles: while the cement is wet, embed in it tiles or pebbles, or press into it leaf and flower imprints to create your own design.
Introduce variation, texture and colour to create a unique surface that will floor the viewer.
GRAVEL
A cheap, low-maintenance and attractive option for a pathway, shrubbery bed or indoor garden. A bonus is that shrubs and trees can also be grown in it, unlike concrete. The area around the tree can be kept free for smaller shrubs. Larger trees will simply nudge the pebbles aside as they grow. Gravel on a driveway will need a firm edge to prevent overflow. It can also be set in cement, combined with larger pebbles and paving stones for a more stable surface.
PEBBLES AND STONES
Great for small and oddly shaped areas where a lawn is difficult to lay. They are also useful for inserting between pavers and wood decking, and for indoor gardens. For a low-maintenance floor surface, set pebbles or stones in cement, or make squares of cement slabs set with pebble mosaic designs which can be used as a decorative detail. Pebbles can be chosen in a variety of colours to craft swirls and circular designs.
PAVING
Best for areas that will have to take heavy wear. If you are opting for tiles, remember to look for a non-skid material that is hardy enough for outdoor use. A variety of stone paving is available, from cobblestones to rectangles and squares to oddly shaped crazy paving slabs. Bricks can also be laid in herringbone patterns or combined with stone to create attractive designs. Readymade cement tiles come in many textures, colours and patterns. Brick paving needs occasional cleaning to prevent it becoming slippery, stone and cement tiles need no maintenance, especially if they are laid in cement.
Lathika George is a writer and landscape designer based in Kodaikanal
