Round you go

Introducing a circular lawn is a clever way to get a new look, and no additional turf is required – it’s carved out of your existing lawn. Garden beds around the edge allow space for new plantings and feature pots – this will soften and green your scene.

WORK THE CIRCLE Gather your supplies Set-out paint Turf cutter (hired) Havenbrick pavers in Charcoal (200 x 100 x 50mm) Concrete stepping stones Feature pots and plants (optional) Garden bench

You’ll also need Stake; tape measure; string; shovel; brickie’s sand; grey cement; wheelbarrow; trowel; spirit level; rubber mallet; fork; garden soil mix; bark mulch

Here’s how STEP 1 Using tape measure, locate centre point of lawn then mark with a stake.

STEP 2 Attach a length of string to stake, equal to radius of circle you want to create. Tie other end to set-out paint can. Pull string taut and mark perimeter of circle.

STEP 3 Using turf cutter, break up remaining area of lawn outside main circle. Use a shovel to lift and remove broken turf. Tip

Use removed pieces of turf to patch any bare spots in your lawn, either here or in other locations, front or back.

STEP 4 Dig a trench around edge of lawn circle wide enough to accommodate a border of pavers. Make trench deep enough to accommodate height of pavers plus a 50mm mortar bed.

STEP 5 Make up mortar mix by blending 4 parts brickie’s sand with 1 part grey cement in a wheelbarrow. Slowly add water until a stiff mixture forms. Using trowel, spread a bed of mortar, 50mm deep, in base of trench and commence laying pavers. Work in sections, covering about 2m at a time.

STEP 6 After laying each section of pavers, check they are level and adjust as necessary using mallet to tap into place. When circle is complete, haunch edges with mortar mix, spreading at 45° angle with trowel.

STEP 7 To connect circular lawn to driveway, create a pathway of stepping stones. First excavate soil then dry-lay stones, moving them around until you’re happy with their placement.

STEP 8 To set stepping stones in place, wet base then sit on a 50mm bed of mortar. Allow to set.

STEP 9 Fork over surrounding soil areas to loosen surface then spread garden soil mix on top and rake to level.

STEP 10 If including feature pots in your design, put in place. Check they are level before planting up.

STEP 11 Plant out garden beds and finish with a layer of mulch. Position your bench.