Kids’ Fantasy Garden Makeover

Don and Nigel worked their magic and transformed an ordinary backyard into an enchanted fantasy garden for kids, complete with a medieval castle and bubbling witch’s cauldron.

Castle

1. Using a jigsaw and a rough castle template or pattern, Don cut two sheets of Form ply (2400 x1200x17mm) to size. He then sanded and undercoated the ply.
2. Nigel dug two 600mm postholes for two H4 treated pine posts (2x90x90mm), which were installed inground using rapidset concrete.
3. The facade was mounted on the support posts and reinforced with a H3 treated pine cross beam (90x45mm).
4. Finishing touches included painting the castle, adding 3D stones and attaching a weatherproof curtain across the doorway.

Canary Island Date Palm

One of the plants growing in our fantasy garden was a Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis). These hardy palms tolerate frost, dry conditions and do well in a wide range of climates. They have long spiny fronds, which are very dangerous, particularly in a child’s play area. Nigel used a chainsaw to trim the base of the palm for safety, at the same time giving it a fantastic pineapple shape.

Stepping stones

Nigel laid concrete pavers (450x450mm) on a sand and cement mortar bed, as stepping stones for the children.

Fun and games

Two ball hoops (one for tennis balls and the other for ping-pong balls) were constructed using galvanised pipe, wire and artificial ivy. A chessboard was painted and mounted on logs at a height suitable for the children. The chess pieces were made from ‘DAS’ clay. Nigel used a chainsaw to cut different sized logs (200, 400, 600 and 800mm), which were then sunk inground so that the kids could learn how to balance.

Witch’s cauldron

Our cauldron was a large pot from a pottery supplier. Once the pot was put in place, holes were drilled to accommodate the low voltage cable, 5 plate mist maker and 30 watt underwater light. The gaps around the holes were later sealed with Sikaflex.

Mirror

A magic mirror was made from a recycled window frame and 8 panels of 4mm mirror glass.

Costs

• Form ply (2400 x 1200 x 17mm), around $80 per sheet from landscape suppliers
• H4 treated pine posts (90 x 90 mm) for castle facade, $13.85 per metre
• Quick set concrete, $10 per 40kg bag from landscape suppliers
• Concrete pavers (450 x 450mm), $12 each from landscape suppliers
• 30 metres x low voltage cable, $41.25 from specialist irrigation suppliers, water feature shops or nurseries
• 5 plate mist maker, $149.60 from specialist irrigation suppliers, water feature shops or nurseries
• 30 watt underwater light, $40.70 from specialist irrigation suppliers, water feature shops or nurseries
• Dulux Weather Shield Gloss paint (3 x 1 litre, yellow, black and white), $29.52 from hardware and paint stores
• Broomsticks, around $6.45 from entertainment shops
• Exterior grade ply (600 x 600mm) for chessboard, $10
• DAS clay for chess pieces, $11.55 for 1 kg pack from art supply shops
• 3 x 1600mm lengths of galvanised 15mm pipe and 10 metres of wire for upright ball hoops, total cost $34.65 from metal suppliers
• Window frame, $10 from recycling yard 8 panels of 4mm mirror, $120

Copyright CTC Productions 2003