Take on the challenge of a
sloping garden
Sloping gardens can present a real challenge. But there is also fantastic benefits. Sloping gardens present some great design opportunities.
If your garden has a slope, you need a landscape design plan that allows for maximum impact. A sloped backyard looks stunning with water-wise plants and clever landscaping.
Use natural slopes to create tranquil water features. Or build water features into retaining walls.
Adding retaining walls allows you to create different features in different areas of the garden. Use the highest points of the garden as a feature – either as areas with relaxing views down over the rest of the garden, or as areas where you can add impact pieces.
So, what should I consider when designing for a sloping garden? Here are a few ideas we’ve gathered over time:
If the slope is only slight, level the garden by adding a retainer on the inside of the boundary fences, and infilling.
Terracing a sloping garden may be the obvious solution, but terracing an entire garden is expensive. Taking away or adding soil, in huge quantities, is very expensive. So, when terracing a garden, re-use soil from one area, and relocate it somewhere else. The trick is to try and balance out the amount of soil from one area and using it again so that you do not have to add additional soil.
Think about building things into slopes, for example, you can add feature beds into the slope, so that they are at ground level on one side, and raised at the other.
Instead of one very high retaining wall you can create two or three stepped walls, with flower beds in between. This will take up more horizontal space, but will be safer as the walls be lower in height.
A slope presents a wonderful opportunity for steps. Consider curving the steps, or building them laterally, using the retaining wall as a side wall for the steps.
Drainage is critical – make sure that any contractor has a made provision for drainage and storm water runoff.
And finally, if the garden is truly mountainous, consider calling in an expert. It’s better safe than sorry.
