With the recent foul weather we had in Sydney area, now meteorologists are promising some dry and sunny spells. This will give homeowners the perfect opportunity to see to their gardens and sort them out before spring planting begins.

The torrential rain brought flooding to many areas in NSW and a number of properties were severely affected. But once residents have dealt with the cleaning up process, many by taking advantage of the free green waste removal service, offered by local councils, and once the floodwater has subsided from waterlogged lawns that have a good drainage system, people can now start thinking about improving their outdoor space.

Commonly, city gardens have certain similarities in their design, when it comes to some popular recreational features. There are the patio area and the barbecue corner, the beautifully maintained lawn and the nicely laid flowerbeds. Some avid gardeners may have opted for installing a focus water feature or a fountain, others favour an aesthetically designed rockery or a carefully arranged shrubbery.

Depending on how pro people feel about “messing” with their gardens, they may attempt to have a go themselves at designing their outdoor space. Those, who feel that they are at a beginner’s level, may be more modest with their efforts and not dare be adventurous with their planting until they have read every guide or gardening book, which offers easy tips and ideas.

Whether you feel confident or not, there is one improvement that anyone can do in their yard, because it is not only pretty to look, but also renders practicality and functionality within its concept, especially when we are confronted with a drenched lawn after days of heavy rainfall and stormy weather. Moreover, it is a gardening job that is perfect for doing in the winter, when there is less stuff to do outside.

The Garden Stepping Stones

There is a plethora of design ideas on how you can use stepping stones in your garden, in order to improve its look and add a functional purpose to the plan.

The pathway

The stepping feature can be integrated with an already designed pathway. Whether the slabs are fixed firmly within the gravel path, or they are hammered in directly into the lawn, the execution of such project requires a little bit of a know-how.

The Gravel Path

Tiles and Pebble square feature path

Combining different materials, such as terracotta tiles and colourful pebbles will give your backyard an abstract look.

So next, I would like to carry on with my list by featuring some fast and easy stepping stones ideas that only require the strength of your muscles, because one just has to plonk the natural stones, tiles or granite slabs onto the designated area on your lawn. This method is the best and the fastest solution to a problem with a sodden and soggy ground in the wet weather that we have had so far. The stepping stones are also easy to maintain and clean, as a quick sweep and the occasional pressure washing will be enough to keep your garden focus feature in the spotlight.

The Path

A natural stone path looks very attractive, especially when it is made of different sized stones.

Another idea for creating a practical and functional pathway, is to use man-cut slabs that could be placed on a gravel ground or directly on the lawn.

The Patio

A freestyle patio can be effortlessly constructed with very little fuss. It gives a quirky look to your garden and offers also a practical solution, as it can prevent a grass-free ground from turning into a muddy slush in the rain.

The Random feature

Randomly laid slabs of stone, which follow no particular geometrical pattern, are also a great solution to drenched lawns in the winter.

The Border feature

Small stones can be placed together in square or rectangular shapes around shrubs or flowerbeds to form a neat and handy border.

The list of ideas is endless and if one employs their creative mind, they could make wonders in their garden and design a stepping stone feature that conveniently serves its purpose, when the weather is rather wet.