ideas for sloping rear garden

the_shreksta

hi

on my new build property (3 bed detached) i have a long rear garden (60ft long) but it slopes upwards away from the house, its not really really steep but there is no way it will ever be a flat garden so i am toying with the idea of having it stepped.

1st step-ground level will be for patio,hot tub and seating area.

2nd level will be decorative gravel with water feature etc.

back of garden 3rd level will be lawn/rockery and planter etc.

when i dig down at the sides of the garden it will expose the fence posts and be lower than next doors garden so what (cheapish) solution do i use, was thinking to stop neighbours garden falling through into mine by using upturned slabs to form a retaining wall held in place by concrete haunching. i will be using sleepers to create the stepped effect so could place the sleepers against the slabs aswell.

any other methods i could use?

thanks in advance

Farway

Not sure of the neighbours falling through bit, but what you will have to bear in mind is water.

You will be creating a nice sump for everyone's water to drain into, think about it before you go ahead, especially as you say the house is at the bottom of the slope

I_have_spoken

IMHO you don't extend each level right to the sides of the garden, you need to set each terrace into the slope and leave support on each side

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Sounds like the lower level would also have a water feature soon enough. And possibly a landslide or two over winter.

The amount of soil to move is pretty considerable - it's not really something to be done with a border spade, at any rate.

I think you need to speak to a landscaper.

the_shreksta

thanks guys, yeah i will be getting a few landscapers around for quotes etc.

as a new build should it have adequate drainage for the sloped rear garden? if not i will install aco drains and or soak aways.

main things for me is to keep as much water off the patio area as possible and remove as much grass as possible-i need a low maintenance garden.

i will of course speak with the neighbours to get their thoughts and let them know what im planning........just hope i get decent ones lol

thanks guys

Farway

the_shreksta wrote: »

as a new build should it have adequate drainage for the sloped rear garden? if not i will install aco drains and or soak aways.

I wouldn't bank on that, build it and run seems to be the norm these days

In fact the slope could be loose dumped earth and not really settled in

Mojisola

the_shreksta wrote: »

when i dig down at the sides of the garden it will expose the fence posts and be lower than next doors garden so what (cheapish) solution do i use

You don't use a cheap solution if you want to stop your neighbours' gardens from slumping into yours!

the_shreksta

im going to suggest a new fence with concrete posts and gravel boards (which i can supply free of charge) so hopefully that will put the neighbour at ease (it should do as its his side of the fence to maintain). i will offer them the choice of gravel boards as we do many sorts at work (rock face,high profile brick face,log face,recessed,plain etc) and hopefully they will offer to pay for the panels,if not i will pay. certainly want to keep on good terms with the neighbour as life is hard enough without having issues with neighbours.

been to the property today to have a quick look and a rough idea of whats needed.

-remove crappy wooden fence supplied by jelsons (this is on my neighbours deeds so will tread carefully and offer free posts/gravel boards.

-posts will have to be 9ft-10ft to compensate for the removal of earth.

-12" gravel boards needed possibly stacked 2-3 deep depending how much soil needs removing.

-treated sleepers stacked against the gravel boards to help create the step.

-if no drainage is present then that will need sorting.

PasturesNew

I've always been keen on gabions.... planning on using them myself to "shore up" and reshape an area of my garden... as I'll be levelling a little corner and digging down to the bottom of the fence posts, so need something strong going on in the whole area.

They're allegedly strong enough to hold all manner of stuff back.

Mojisola

the_shreksta wrote: »

im going to suggest a new fence with concrete posts and gravel boards

-12" gravel boards needed possibly stacked 2-3 deep depending how much soil needs removing.

Gravel boards held in place by fence post are not sufficient to retain the neighbours' gardens!

the_shreksta

im only toying with ideas at the minute, until i can get the laser levels on it its all speculation at the minute.

will post some pics when we get the keys