A paved outdoor area is practical, but too much paving can leave a backyard feeling bare, hard and disconnected from the garden. Adding rows of pots can quickly become expensive and cluttered, especially if you’re already short on space.
The solution could be hiding beneath your feet. By removing just a small section of pavers, you can create a new garden bed filled with flowers and even add a tree for summer shade. This clever, cost-effective DIY proves you don’t need to rebuild your backyard to completely transform it.
How to plant out your pavers in your backyard
Gather your supplies
- Organic matter
- Selection of plants
- Mulch
You’ll also need
- Pickaxe
- Spade
- Tape measure
- Marker
- Shovel
Step 1
Measure and mark out the area of paving to be lifted.
Step 2
Lift pavers within marked area – you may have to sacrifice the first couple of pavers. Remove sand and road base underneath the pavers with a shovel.
Step 3
Turn over soil and dig in organic matter. Arrange plants until you’re happy with the display. Dig holes as deep as the pots, and twice as wide. Pour water in the holes and, when the water has drained, put in the plants and press the soil gently around the plants.
Step 4
Water soil and mulch.
The outcome
Foxgloves take you back to childhood fairytales, with their cascading bell-shaped flowers looking like bobbing elves’ hats. Add to the movement, as here, with fine-leafed ornamental grass, Lomandra.
Take advantage of the paving pattern to extend a handful of bricks into the garden beds – it creates a naturalistic informality to fit in with your relaxed entertainment area.
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