Sydney’s average rainfall is normally about 1200mm and with Level 3 Water Restrictions well and truly in place and here to stay Sydney landscapers are looking for creative garden designs to make use of the rain that falls to the ground on the properties and to promote water conservation.
Landscapers in Sydney need to create opportunities for suburban garden designs that allow the maximum water absorption benefit for the gardens and lawn areas by slowing down the runoff from paths and driveways to take advantage of every precious drop when it does rain. Instead of the traditional let’s concrete or pave the side paths and the driveway at Living Colour Landscapes their team of landscapers consider these areas as potential areas for water absorption.
When designing garden paths excavate into the soil sub grades and install agricultural pipes, immersed in gravel and flowing to the lawn and garden areas. With many of Living Colour Landscape’s garden designs in suburban Sydney the landscapers have then installed sandstone treads or large scale pavers over the top with decorative pebbles and native violets to add softness and colour.
For several smaller Sydney properties where there is only a car stand at the front of the residence the landscapers have followed the same procedure as in the pathway method but have excavated to a deeper level so that there is a greater depth of gravel. The sandstone slabs need to be 75mm thick and of a reasonable size, say 600mm x 400mm and can be placed on a screeded bed of washed river sand and laid as tracks only so that there is plenty of room left for planting.
When it does rain the water does not flush into the gutters but makes its way through the stone gaps and plants and into the gravel, reducing runoff and allowing more water to be absorbed over a longer period, well after the rain has ceased.
