Help with garden design

sagedan

I'm hoping to lean on the community to get some help and ideas on how to design my garden.

The property is an end of terrace with side access and the garden is east facing. It has 3 levels and is very steep at the end. We lose sun at the swings by 5pm at peak summer and there's usually sun at the highest level until 6. The sun goes over the other side of the house. The garden doesn't get a lot of direct light due to trees. We don't use the middle or top level at the moment. 

Our initial idea was to place some decking where the swings are and add a furniture there and barbeque area to the left platform (where the slate is). Level out the top level, remove a chunk of clay and replace with gravel/stones and have a garden shed at the top. 

We could really do with ideas on designing this better so it looks nicer. I can't think of a use case for the top level other than plonk some low maintenance plants at the top so it isn't so empty and boring and a small shed. Anyone have experience with gardens that are very steep and how they made it work? The previous owner flattened the lower section and used sleepers as the wall- as you can see from my neighbours garden, their slope starts earlier than ours. They also put down artificial grass which I'm not a fan of at all. The grass became muddy this year as water started to pool on the surface. It's been more hassle to maintain than, but the lack of direct sun could be an issue for grass?

I'm attaching some pics - thank you!

Cheslea2010

You could terrace with gabion baskets and create multiple level areas for bbq, hot tub, patio etc

moneysaver1978

That's a lovely garden! If you want to overhaul the look, it does depend on the budget and how much work you want to do yourself (are you looking to get a landscaper and/or builders?).

If your lawn seems to be muddy, consider adding french drains (where's your nearest drain?).

Our initial idea was to place some decking where the swings are and add a furniture there and barbeque area to the left platform

Depending on the regulations in your area, if you want to add decking, I would consider doing it on the back (as it gets sun till 6pm). The question is about that tree in the middle, to maximise decking space, I would remove the tree (it's right in the middle which makes the area a bit more awkward!).

On the left side, I would have steps leading up to the decking. The fence in the back looks old - are they still good? If so, I would paint them.

Do you need the fence between the slabs and the grass? If not, I would remove them (or if you want to MSE, move them to the decking for safety!)

Disclaimer: I am not a landscaper or an expert but we are looking at DIYing our back garden and have already done a ton of research.

sagedan

moneysaver1978 said:

That's a lovely garden! If you want to overhaul the look, it does depend on the budget and how much work you want to do yourself (are you looking to get a landscaper and/or builders?).

If your lawn seems to be muddy, consider adding french drains (where's your nearest drain?).

Our initial idea was to place some decking where the swings are and add a furniture there and barbeque area to the left platform

Depending on the regulations in your area, if you want to add decking, I would consider doing it on the back (as it gets sun till 6pm). The question is about that tree in the middle, to maximise decking space, I would remove the tree (it's right in the middle which makes the area a bit more awkward!).

On the left side, I would have steps leading up to the decking. The fence in the back looks old - are they still good? If so, I would paint them.

Do you need the fence between the slabs and the grass? If not, I would remove them (or if you want to MSE, move them to the decking for safety!)

Disclaimer: I am not a landscaper or an expert but we are looking at DIYing our back garden and have already done a ton of research.

Thank you for the feedback and suggestions! We'd like to do what we can ourselves as we are both very adept with DIY. We'll definitely need professional help with any type of clay removal and flattening. The area left to the swings is something we flattened ourselves and added sleepers for support (hence the fresh looking wood), but clay soil was tough on the back to work with and I rather pay someone to do that. 

We've already been researching french drains. Only issue I'm encountering is we don't have any drainage pipes in the back garden. My research suggested a soak away instead due to this. 

Decking at the back could work. Only issue with that is, across the fence and trees is a busy dual carriage way. The noise is tolerable at the bottom of the garden but at the top, I suspect it would dampen the enjoyment of decking due to the road noise. Across the fence is another steep slope and I believe that is intentionally there to help dampen road noise. 

We did have steps from sleepers on the left going up but they became loose with heavy rain. They were there when we moved in and it was just sitting directly on clay soil with no type of support. We do plan to add steps back and do it properly. The fence at the back is in good nick. I've ordered cleaner for the algae and have creocote for it. 

I've submitted a form to our council to see if the tree is protected. It would be great to remove the tree and flatten the whole upper to one level. Would need to consider supporting the fences somehow. 

FreeBear

The paving to the left behind the house looks to be too high - Ideally, it needs to be 150mm below the DPC or you'll end up with damp penetrating the wall.

Digging out that bank and leveling the area is going to need some serious retaining wall - I have my doubts whether the sleepers you have there currently are up to the job long term. Regardless, you need to consult a structural/civil engineer to advise on retaining wall design & construction. Do not rely on the opinion of a builder as they will not be qualified.

-taff

The tree also blocks the noise so factor that in.

Personally, for such a range of wants, I'd say consult an actual garden designer or landscaper, pay the consulatation  fee and set out beforehand what you are interested in finding out. You don't have to employ them to do anything but talk to you for an hour or so.

Sarahspangles

I have a qualification in this stuff, though I don’t use it any more.

I think you may looking at this wrong, literally. Unless your main aim is to have something nice to look at from the back of the house.

If the highest part of your garden is the space you might want to sit on a warm evening, then the views from there are important. Neighbours may not appreciate you overlooking their garden so much, but something like an octagonal bench (the tree is crying out for one!) with some screening so that you’re looking out towards the sunset might be possible. A great place for children, including as they get older and want to hang out with friends. More useful than lawn in the long run.

In between you could do something more like a London courtyard garden, with interesting paths and plants. Either geometrical or ‘jungle’. If the garden faces east, and particularly if there’s any sharp winds, things that flower early need to go against west facing walls or fences.

Farway

Lovely garden with potential.

Have to agree with Sarahspangles, I can picture it now.

The middle bit with plastic grass becomes a “tropical” jungle, loads of people have done this, takes a bit of organising and not instant, but that area looks sheltered from icy blasts & secluded.

Just search on UK tropical look, I don't know where you live, but maybe a local open to public garden has something similar? I know RHS Wisley has. As does YouTube of course

The tree, grow something up it, it looks isolated so could even go for something like rambling Rector rose but that one can be a lovely thug so maybe a bit more research there, a clematis or maybe posh honeysuckles?

Slinky

Not sure whether decking is going to require planning permission if it's on that top level.

Don't underestimate the amount of soil you could end up removing. Our seemingly flat garden required 2 grab wagons - the equivalent of 5 large skip loads before the patio could be relaid.

twopenny

My concern is the big tree.
It's lost a lot of soil around the roots and given the high winds we get now could be a problem.

sagedan

Just wanted to thank all for the inputs and suggestions. It's been really helpful getting ideas. 

Wife and I are leaning towards the following plan:

Top level: remove top layer of clay soil and fill with draining gravel/stones. Place plants/shrubs that survive well in damp and dark conditions and future plan to have a small garden tool shed in the corner. 

Middle level: remove the left small tree and install steps from the left side of garden going up to the top level. Make a pergola type arch around the steps and grow a plant that can grow around the pergola (thinking of Jasmine, any better suggestions?) throughout the steps to the top. Decorate rest of the middle level, TBD. 

Bottom level: decking at the sleeper retaining wall and add garden furniture. Add soak away in middle of the turf area and supplement with french draining. Remove the fencing near the patio to open up the space. Replace artificial grass with a lawn and add stepping stones to create a path to the deck. 

Amongst this, clean patio/fence etc, creocote fence/sleepers and general tidy. Add nice lighting throughout. Middle tree will remain.

Any feedback on the plan is very welcome