Steps for rear garden

danrv

Hi
The rear garden of my mid seventies property doesn’t seem to have a design to it and is a bit of a mish mash. It’s on three levels with the second being around 66cm above ground level.
While there’s concrete steps, there’s a huge slope of earth beside them which is quite awkward to walk on and drag the mower across.
View is from the side gate and behind the garage where there is a concrete path.

Just after some possible ideas of what to do. Thinking of extending the steps the same width again although it makes wheeling in any wheelbarrows or lawn mowers difficult. 
Sort of thing for a landscaper or builder but hope to DIY.
Any help appreciated.

twopenny

You aren't going to get a lawn or flower beds where those trees are. The roots will be taking all the moisture out of the soil. Removing the trees, they aren't going to get any better than they are at the mo. They won't green up again.

So I'd be inclined to extend the patio to the top step using soil and stone you seem to have there.

You could even leave a square bed for flowers half way along that step so that it's a bed on the edge of the patio.

There would be a drop so either a decorative hedge or plants to stop people falling over it and to cover the works.

It would leave a smaller slope into which I'd put a whole load of easy care, decorative plants that would tollerate the dry conditions.

Again, a small hedge or post and rail at the side of the steps.

I went round in circles with my paving slabs that were every which way and no longer safe. I tried, got offered random people who would do it but I settled on a local builder. Not sure it cost me much more than the random blokes. The builder came, supervised and took notes of what I wanted and it was professionally laid.

It was the best thing I did for this house. Immediately it looked great and set the house off a treat. I said if I moved again the first thing I'd do was get well laid paving.

danrv

twopenny said:

You aren't going to get a lawn or flower beds where those trees are. The roots will be taking all the moisture out of the soil. 

Yes. It’s a row of conifer trees that create a boundary hedge between the garden and a large tarmac/on block garage area.
The garages are set lower than the garden so there’s a slope down from where the trees are.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Leaving the slope and creating a rock garden there would look nice or if you prefer something more structured stepped flower beds.

The conifers aren't the most attractive, if there's space a hedge made of a variety of different coloured shrubs that could be maintained into a 6 foot or so hedge (depending upon the privacy you need) would brighten up the space. 

https://www.hedgesdirect.co.uk/acatalog/hedges-with-colourful-foliage.html

The problem with these projects is you look online for ideas and the pictures can be intimidating, are there any public gardens nearby where you could go for some inspiration? 

danrv

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Leaving the slope and creating a rock garden there would look nice or if you prefer something more structured stepped flower beds.

The conifers aren't the most attractive, if there's space a hedge made of a variety of different coloured shrubs that could be maintained into a 6 foot or so hedge (depending upon the privacy you need) would brighten up the space. 

https://www.hedgesdirect.co.uk/acatalog/hedges-with-colourful-foliage.html

The problem with these projects is you look online for ideas and the pictures can be intimidating, are there any public gardens nearby where you could go for some inspiration? 

Thanks. Yes, could have a look around. Also maybe could build a retaining wall either at the second or third step level.

danrv

twopenny said:

I went round in circles with my paving slabs that were every which way and no longer safe. I tried, got offered random people who would do it but I settled on a local builder. Not sure it cost me much more than the random blokes. The builder came, supervised and took notes of what I wanted and it was professionally laid.

It was the best thing I did for this house. Immediately it looked great and set the house off a treat. I said if I moved again the first thing I'd do was get well laid paving.

Worth considering. My patio is in a bit of a state. The slabs are easy to lift though so could reuse them and repoint.