Does anyone know anything about gardening?

More clearing, more discoveries.

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And a fairly large paved area that again I had no idea was under the brambles and ivy

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Someone's porno stash!

That has been everyone's response to the photo, probably because it's the most likely. They look too far gone to even check what they are. Other suggestions have been 20 copies of The Ring, with a well hidden under the pavers. Or 20 copies of Paul Blart: Mall Cop, which is frankly scarier.

Here’s the space relatively clear. Naturally I forgot my tape measure so no actual dimensions but that fire pit is about 2x2. Will measure up tomorrow.
Reckon as it stands can go 8x5 easily enough too.

Need to work out what the best way I can squeeze the deck in without moving the pit as there’s not really anywhere else for it. Triangular like so could work.

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Hopefully this will become green.

Copious amounts of water will be more effective than hope.

Over a space that size I'd buy a sprinkler attachment for your hose. Best do it now in case of a hosepipe ban later.

Yeah, I'm doing watering; twice so far today. I have a sprinkler too, will get that out tomorrow.

If that's the size of decking you can fit in, I hope your other half is a leprechaun contortionist otherwise yoga might be difficult.

She’s pretty fucking tiny but yeah, I need to measure up tomorrow and get it as close as possible without being close enough to set the bastard on fire when I want to toast some marshmallows. Will be able to maximise the space somehow.
Realistically 8x5 is the biggest rectangle I can fit. Big enough for her needs and just about a small table too hopefully.

I have to go return some videotapes

What about making some sort of foldaway cover over the fire pit? That way you don't loose any space during yoga time.

If you're clever you could make the height so the deck acts like a bench seat around the fire pit.

(how hard is it to draw with your finger!)

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Alternatively just level the ground and use a tarp and a blanket and save the faff of building a deck.

This is definitely an option.
Luckily I work in a fully equipped scenery shop so can def make everything off site.
I’ll level a bit more tomorrow and see what I end up with.
Folding fire cover is ace but def overkill for an allotment :)

overkill for an allotment

Mate, you've got a firepit and are planning a yoga platform. In an allotment.

You've already overkilled it and summoned it back from the dead.

😱👻☠️🤘

We don’t have a garden so we gotta get some social space in there too 🤷‍♂️

A couple of slabs inset into the surface and a chimnea should do the job, sandstone tends to be the same thickness as decking boards. I hope everyone will pardon me for reposting the picture. Either that or a slightly larger area and a free standing fire grate.

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We dug up our weed ridden lawn last year, levelled, sieved at least 2 inches down of
soil that was there added top soil and laid new lawn which looked great all summer. Coming out of winter it’s incredibly lumpy, what’s happened here? Settlement? Bought some those stupid looking spike shoes which feel like they helping abit to break up the clumps.

Did you roll the topsoil to compact it (then rake and roll again)? if not, yep it has settled.

I get that. I just don't see hinges as the part of the plan that's taking it too far.

Colin-B's plan chimnea is a simpler and more elegant solution though.

No I didn’t , raked it all in didn’t roll it though.

I didn't either. Think I may be re-doing next year.

I scarified last week. Top dressed with some cheap compost, grass seed that was lying in the garage, and chicken shit pellets yesterday. Hopefully it rains this week!

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are there any garden centres with good websites which show an actual specimen of their trees/shrubs/grasses per size e.g. 2L, 5L, 10L, 12L, 15L. we're in the midst of designing the planting for our upcoming garden reno and I want to see what size and price a 12L/15L tree is ? want to be able to provide pics to our landscapers too to say 'source us one of this size'

Thanks for the info. So pressure treating/any other sealing/staining is not good for veg etc? The current ones are literally falling apart so I was hoping to replace them with something more weather/water resistant.

Final deck dimensions are gonna be
2400x1500mm. Decking boards perpendicular to the length of the deck.
Reckon top of frame 2-300mm above surface would be spot on. Won’t clad the sides so maybe overhang the boards a little.

Will give a spot to sit next to the existing fire pit, big enough for her practice and enough room for a wee table and chairs the rest of the time.
Also, I’m really tight and lazy so doing loads of woodwork that I’d have to pay for is not appealing.