r/GardeningAustralia • u/Squally92 • Nov 05 '22
What do I do with this space?! 🙉 Send help
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u/Sparky_Buttons Nov 05 '22
That's your new crying spot. Since it's unpaved, your fresh tears will just sink into the dirt without a trace.
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Nov 06 '22
Honestly, I want a crying spot.
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u/Sparky_Buttons Nov 06 '22
Crying spots are for the upper classes, you and I will have to continue to cry into the hessian sack we keep under the floorboards.
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Nov 06 '22
Hessian you say, la di dah. I just have a pile of old newspapers that I can tear up into a neat to weep in.
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u/Moist-Cut-7998 Nov 05 '22
You have a down pipe there, install some water tanks.
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u/Squally92 Nov 05 '22
That's an excellent idea. I'm trying to be more water concious so this would definitely help! I have a similar useless space directly behind where I took this photo (but even smaller). That's got a down pipe as well, so that might be exactly the thing I need for there.
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u/byza089 Nov 05 '22
Get some slim line tanks along there and get it concreted. Put some climbers in a pot too
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u/Beneficial-Degree506 Nov 05 '22
Looks like your in WA from your brickwork and a nice leaning tree, looks windy, we used to have to clean out gutters just for sand, dunno if that'd end up in the water tank?
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Nov 05 '22
wa brickwork is generally terrible
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u/Beneficial-Degree506 Nov 05 '22
It's a completely different style of construction here as opposed to over east, but yes I believe 20% of houses built during this boom will be signed off but not even close to Australian standards.
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u/Anusmaximus777 Nov 05 '22
When you say different to over east, are they better or worse?
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u/Beneficial-Degree506 Nov 05 '22
Well WA houses are usually (95% of them at least) double brick construction, the only timber is in the roof and the front door frame. Big builders rule the roost. Most of the guys who started them ie dale alcock, Scott Park were bricklayers originally.
Eastern States is predominantly timber frame construction or brick veneer (timber is the structural part not the external brickwork) a small builder can do two houses are a year and is usually a carpenter by trade.
I'm a WA bricky so I'm biased and prefer double brick, solid and insulates well.
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Nov 06 '22
i have a friend who is a bricky, one of the tidiest ive seen. generally the quality in WA is poor, especially during peak times of population growth. dont even need to put a level on it, perps all over the place.
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u/Aussiewhiskeydiver Nov 05 '22
Windows looking at tanks would be pretty ugly though
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u/Squally92 Nov 05 '22 edited Nov 05 '22
I've been trying to figure out a good use for this space, but I'm drawing a blank. I've got cats and so could convert it to a cat run, or maybe grow something? It doesn't get much sun either. A fire pit might be nice, but it doesn't seem like there's room to sit around it.
I've been staring at it for months and have finally decided to reach out to the reddit hive mind for help.
Any ideas or tips would be great! I just don't want the space to go to waste!
EDIT: All walls are owned by me, or are able to be drilled into (Neighbour on the right is lovely). This area is only accessible by a sliding door from my laundry, and behind where I took this photo is a long narrow walkway up to a much smaller similar mulched area about 1m by 1m in size, also with a drainpipe.
This section is squashed between my house (left) and neighbour's house (right), with no other access.
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u/Sonystars Nov 05 '22
No to the fire pit. Too close to the building, too close to the overhanging eaves.
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u/drittzO Nov 05 '22
Ok, how about this. Level it out first. Put in green artificial grass. You can then hang one or two hammocks. You also said you had cats, so after the hammocks put in one of those cat climbing structures, where they can climb up into the sun.
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u/drittzO Nov 05 '22
I think you may need around 12 feet between hammock posts, so maybe one of those hanging chairs that are made of the same hammock material.
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u/No_Strain_703 Nov 06 '22
I immediately thought of a cat run. I'd love to able to have one as my cats love the outside but we are in an apartment presently.
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u/YoofusX Nov 05 '22
Frog pond! Gotta help those froggies 🐸
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u/0hip Nov 05 '22
How TF a frog going to get in there? Parachute drop?
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u/YoofusX Nov 05 '22
Frog drop inbound in 3….2….1…..
But nah, you’ll be surprised where frogs end up!
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u/Weird_Alternative858 Nov 05 '22
We have hydrangeas on the south side of our house - they get hardly any sun but grow prolificly and are just beautiful!
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u/poppacapnurass Nov 05 '22
For the cheap cost of water in WA its not really worth installing smaller rain water tanks. Depending on your lighting conditions in that spot you might be best putting in some frequently used kitchen herbs and plants such as Parsley, Rocket, Mizuna etc. These are fast growing and will save some good money and you will always have fresh produce available. That's what we did and have had a lot of good food from our small garden.
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u/Normal-Lecture-5669 Nov 05 '22
Good size to dig a grave. Just leave it dug out and unmarked. If you ever need to hide a body, you can just dump it in and fill it over. Hopefully you never need to use it. Better to have it and not need it than need it but not have it.
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u/sammybowieh Nov 05 '22
Great. I've been wasting my time driving out to the Blue Mountains. I'll keep this in mind for the next job. Bonus fertiliser for the vegie patch plants I'll plant on top.
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Nov 05 '22
Yes and then feed the vegetables to the family of the victim when they visit you for dinner
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u/Particular_Hat4570 Nov 05 '22
Wet area seeing as it doesn’t get much sun, don’t know about drainage there but look at some native wet gardens, a few frogs and monsteras and it’ll be a great area
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u/anonk1k12s3 Nov 05 '22
Apparat from planting low light plants, can’t really think of what else you could put there
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u/Gcampton13 Nov 05 '22
You can grow veggies that don’t need tons of sun, like lettuce, broccoli. Raised garden beds.
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Nov 05 '22
Before adding anything permanent, make sure its not a bloody water easement, but other than that I agree with those saying to put plants in there. Agave would go well, but just smaller ones, or yuccas. Don’t put ferns unless you want to see them die, and avoid anything with an invasive root habit - no Lilly Pilly, no agapanthus… ask at the garden centre. There are some brilliant ground covers out now under the “bush tucker” brand. Also worth tracking your sun and taking lots of photos to the local nursery. Those people KNOW all the things, and are usually really keen to help anyone, even when you skip out and go to a cheaper chain with their knowledge!
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u/Tankaussie Nov 06 '22
A pond with some amount of light so that you can get frogs and a healthy amount of bugs to feed them
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u/PMFSCV Nov 06 '22
Fragrant plants, if you've bought and have the funds consider making one of those windows a sliding door.
I'd fill it with Gardenias and an outdoor bathtub myself.
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u/desperaste Nov 05 '22
I would pave it, add some shade loving pot plants, string up some fairy lights on the wall or in the gap above, water feature, maybe some tropical highlights, Balinese hut style, meat smoker/Barbecue and some outdoor furniture. Make the area sing!
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u/Christophollo90 Nov 05 '22
Shame one of those bedroom windows isn't a door and it can be a private courtyard for that room.
I have an absolutely tiny pool in a similar space at my place.
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u/Squally92 Nov 05 '22
The far left window is to a dining area alcove. It would be expensive, but I could probably convert it into sliding doors. I really like that idea. I could have a beautiful Zen space setup!
It would probably make the house feel bigger and more open as well.
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u/Christophollo90 Nov 05 '22
Beautiful. Ours is off the dining room so had a sliding door initially before I built the pool.
We had some planters, a pond, a water feature, little deck. Low maintenance but somewhere extra to sit for a coffee and it looked nice.
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u/jefferytheaustralian Nov 05 '22
Alright, try getting some fluorescent and UV lights so plants will grow there, considering there isnt much sunlight. next, plant maybe some bushes or shrubs along the walls and maybe put some stepping stones in the middle. It should look nice if you do that.
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u/90Lil Nov 05 '22
I think a cat run would be good. My cat used to love playing in sword ferns, if you encolse it with shade cloth and planted ferns you've got two uses, a cat run and nice garden to look out on.
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u/roowho Nov 05 '22
Perfect space for a cattery. Just need netting above and maybe a gate. Then ferns etc and some wall perches and runs for the cat.
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u/nikey2k27 Nov 05 '22
what on other side of them windows i know we had that problem i had fers style garden with itl little water movement and it was lovely to look at from dining room and live space.
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u/NinjaCatMog Nov 05 '22
Warning - if you plant anything that requires a fair bit of water, ie ferns, put them in pots and not in the soil! All that moisture so close to the house with no where else to go can cause major damage to your home.
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u/MissNako94 Nov 05 '22
Step one: get a cat Step two: turn area into a catio Let your problems melt away watching your kitty play outside safely
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u/PossibleJournalist58 Nov 05 '22
That stormwater drainpipe should be directed to that “elevated “ drain for a start!!!
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u/Luck_Beats_Skill Nov 05 '22
Get rid of the windows. Then put in a cricket net.
Otherwise, I’d get the drainage A1, then make it as green as possible.
Or if you are happy with a low maintenance dead space. Just pave it over.
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u/Rodreago22 Nov 05 '22
Knock down the walls with windows and expand the rooms. Just put in some skylights for lights.
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u/Coriander_girl Nov 05 '22
Maybe some large stepping stones with moss around them then a couple of garden beds for the ferns? How much do you want to use the space or just have it be aesthetically pleasing?
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u/defyinggravetty Nov 05 '22
This is the exact layout of our side of the house too (WA), we’ve got grass running to where your pavers are, and then mulch like you have. At the far end we’ve an underground compost bin, and then we’re gonna put ferns around it
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u/Planet_Pips Nov 06 '22
Brick pave it and put a raised garden bed instead.
It looks like it's going to become a haven for weeds especially if you're not going to maintain it every couple of weeks. One of those out of sight, out of mind then booom....you have a nook full of weeds.
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u/Plus-Alternative-807 Nov 06 '22
I would buy your neighbours house and than have it demolished. This will than allow you to have adequate sun to plant whatever you want.
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u/dallandra5824 Nov 06 '22
Moss carpet with cinderblock garden or PVC pipe hanging garden. There's a bunch of succulents that thrive in low light
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u/littlepurplecarrot Nov 06 '22
Fernery. Install watering system sprayers along the top of the fence.
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u/Smith8725 Nov 06 '22
Vertical garden will give you space for chair and table and a green outlook from the rooms
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u/Reed_LA Natives Lover Nov 06 '22
Where are you?
You NEED to tell us where you are located if you want any help on plants.
You cannot grow the same plants in Darwin and Melbourne.
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u/Teredia Nov 06 '22
Make it a hidden getaway. Right at the end put an outdoor chair n table so you can read a book surrounded by amazing plants.
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u/pullitharder Nov 06 '22
Small vegie garden or put shade cloth over the opening between your roof & fence and turn it into a hidden seating area where you can go for a quiet drink at the end of the day.
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u/beetrootsandwich Nov 06 '22
Succulents can't go wrong? They are awesome when then do will, I'm a big fan.
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u/-DethLok- Nov 06 '22
Came here to say plants + water feature (like small pond with waterfall) and... yep, already mentioned :)
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u/Prior-Leg2930 Nov 06 '22
perfect spot for all ur local teens hang in, just make sure u tell them when the hose runs out they replace it😂😂😂
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u/dj_boy-Wonder Nov 06 '22
You could pick up some sleepers from Bunnings and build a little garden bed, veggie patch, you could put some citrus in there and it’d probably go gangbusters. 1 cube of sandy loam mixed with a dozen bags of compost and a tub of granular fertilizer and you could grow whatever you want… carrots, thyme… weed…. Wait who said that
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u/Wide_Singer2061 Nov 06 '22
Long water feature with a pump and plants all around. Maybe one type of plant for a zen like feel and some rocks.
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u/hez_lea Nov 06 '22 edited Nov 06 '22
turn it into a cat run for sure (given you have a cat) could still have cat friendly plants!
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Nov 06 '22
Just instal a permenant clothes line over the whole area and pave it, im assuming nobody sees into this area, save the landscaping for the larger area
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u/JayLFRodger Nov 06 '22
Pond with a waterfall feature against back right corner, low flat rock along the front so you can dip your feet in while sitting in a comfortable seat reading your favourite book. Add an umbrella or light shade cloth to complete
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u/icreatemyreality Nov 06 '22
I used a space like this for a rabbit enclosure but the bustards dug under the house.. so that went and we planted small things we use often in the kitchen
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u/MrPetrolstick Nov 06 '22
Looks like it gets about 15 minutes of sunlight a day… perfect for drying clothes.
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u/Pademelon1 Nov 05 '22
Plant tree ferns & shade-loving plants