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How to give your clothesline a gorgeous makeover

Create an unlikely beauty spot in the garden. - by Charlie Albone
  • 27 Oct 2021

How Aussie is the rotary clothesline out the back! So practical. But, instead of treating it as just a utility – or even a makeshift swing for the kids – make it part of your ornamental display, too. Have your garden finish off the cleaning process by planting drifts of sweetly perfumed lavender or other plants, so their fragrances waft up into your clothes!

WATCH: Charlie's step-by-step guide to landscaping under a clothesline

The rotary clothesline is an Aussie icon, its place in our sunny backyards cemented more than 100 years ago. Make a fresh start to your weekly washday and turn the grubby, dirty and stained into a sweet-smelling success.

Gather your supplies

  • Rotary clothesline
  • Small pebbles
  • Quick-set concrete
  • 1180 x 130mm rusting steel garden edging (2)
  • Yellow brickies sand
  • Cement
  • Sandstone flagging stones
  • Creeping plant such as native violet
  • Lavender
  • Quality potting mix

You’ll also need

  • Angle grinder fitted with metal cutting blade
  • Post-hole shovel
  • Spirit level
  • Tape measure
  • Setout paint
  • Shovel
  • Drill
  • 20mm galvanised Tek screws
  • Wheelbarrow
  • Rubber mallet
  • Small trowel
The before and after.

The grim before and stunning after.

Here's how

Step 1

Step 1

Step 1

Remove wires then cut up your old clothesline, using an angle grinder fitted with a metal cutting blade. Dig out of ground.

Step 2

Step 2

Step 2

Use post-hole shovel to dig a deep hole for post of new clothesline in selected spot. Make the depth 50mm greater than needed for clothesline.

Step 3

Step 3

Step 3

Fill bottom of hole with a 50mm pebble layer, insert post so the ground socket is slightly above lawn level, then add another 50mm pebbles to drain water from around post.

Step 4

Step 4

Step 4

Use spirit level to make post plumb, then concrete in place.

Step 5

Step 5

Step 5

Use tape measure and setout paint to mark a circle with a radius to suit clothesline. Excavate. Make depth the thickness of stones plus 30mm below finished level of paving.

Step 6

Step 6

Step 6

Bend garden edging into semicircles. Bring together. Screw with 20mm screws. Slip over post; centre on ground.

Step 7

Blend sand and cement in wheelbarrow in ratio of 4:1. Mix with water for a relatively stiff mix.

Step 8

Step 8

Step 8

Lay blob of mortar mix on ground near centre ring, then place flagging on top. Tap it down with mallet so it’s flush with top of ring.

Step 9

Step 9

Step 9

After each barrow of mortar, haunch paving stones with small trowel to make sure they are fully supported by mortar.

Step 10

Step 10

Step 10

Continue mixing mortar and laying pavers, making sure outside meets your marked circle. Use spirit level to ensure pavers are flush with each other.

Step 11

DIRTY-LAUNDRY-step11

Step 11

Plant creeper between paving stones and lavender in centre ring. Half fill with potting mix. Follow up with pebbles, finishing them flush with stones.

The final results.

The final results.

Because your clothesline is obviously in the sunniest part of your garden, ensure your plants can also thrive in the heat. Choose perfumed and colourful sun lovers that hap up the heat, such as these.

  • Lavender
  • Chrysanthemum
  • African daisy
  • Artemisia
  • Geranium
  • Marguerite daisy
plants

Stockist details:

Large Hills rotary clothesline in Woodland Grey

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Charlie Albone
Charlie Albone
Charlie has worked internationally and in Australia for the past 17 years, designing and building gardens that are timeless, inspiring and enjoyable to spend time in. In 2015 and 2016, he was awarded two Silver gilt medals for his own gardens at the world’s most prestigious flower show The Chelsea Flower Show.

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