You probably don't need to turn over the soil--probably shouldn't on a steep slope. Talk with your local experts about the best way to convert your paddock. Maybe there are enough native wildflowers growing in there that you could manage by not mowing. Here in the US Midwest we often solarize the soil by covering it with clear plastic sealed all around--this takes a full summer. I have also killed grass by covering it with a tarp for a whole year. For paths I have just laid newspaper, wetted it, and then covered it with mulch. So, it really depends on how big the area is that you are considering. Do find an expert on your area.

Call a professional faux finisher in your area. If you feel comfortable telling what city you live in I can give you a referral or you can check "find a pro". Cindy

Park in on street parking and use your designated parking spot for container veggies. If the other dwellers won't poach them. Contact a local garden club to pair up with an older gardener who may have to be cutting back her pursuits but isn't ready to give up gardening all together. That's win/win. Maybe a local food bank is trying to get a gardener's donation initiative off the ground and needs help convincing local gardeners to ''plant an extra row'' for them. Or Habitat For Humanity might be interested in doing edible landscaping for some of their homes and people who have never gardened before and who might need help. Lots of ways to have green fingers if you really want. If none of those initiatives exist in your community, then initiate them yourself!

Solid Wood benchtops look great with any kitchen style. White kitchens can be transformed by the natural glow of timber. Darker kitchens can make use of the many stain options there are on today's market. To Stain or not to Stain? No doubt we have all noticed a swing towards darker tones in kitchens over the recent years. Colours often taking a more contrasting approach such as, blacks, golds, whites, charcoals and petrol blues. Some may ask, where does solid wood fit into this? Walnut is naturally a dark chocolate to charcoal color; the flecked grain creates texture that looks great paired with exposed stone or other industrial materials. If the client is prepared for the investment (and many are), walnut creates a strikingly moody and luxurious kitchen design. Stained Timbers can save a considerable amount if walnut does happen to blow the budget, with USA Oak or Bamboo able to create an equally striking impression while maintaining the texture and grain of real wood. Popular standard stain colors include Light and Dark Oak as well as Chocolate and Earth. Home owners love the darker tones combined with the distinctive wavy grain of Oak that creates a true centre-point for the kitchen. Which design would you choose?