The best way to design hillside gardens is to create terraces in the garden. Changes in level in a sloping garden naturally dictate the creation of open rooms at different heights, each with a unique atmosphere. Spaces can be closed and recessed for privacy and intimacy or open to create a sun terrace with stunning views. Steps and ramps required for navigation and access to levels can provide different paths through the garden and be sculptural design elements.
Creating a large retaining wall to reduce the garden to one level is rarely possible or desirable.
Apart from a very slight slope, this would be overbearing, make it challenging to access some parts of the garden, and almost certainly elevate the garden in a way that violates neighbors’ privacy. Avoid very tall retaining walls and divide the garden into fewer smaller levels.
Differences in height between different parts of the garden determine the height of any retaining wall at any given distance via the house. The farther the terrace goes to the slope or deepens into it, the higher the retaining wall is required.
The plans for any landscape building project should always include structural details and a structure drawing. It is essential for facilitating the construction of a sloping garden. One or both of these drawings should consist of various sections of the garden, showing the existing levels of the garden and the new levels of each garden terrace, as well as the position and height of each retaining wall. It allows you to calculate the cost accurately and ensures that the construction goes smoothly.
Once all the terraces and retaining walls needed to create them are in place, the next thing to do is decide how to access the different levels of the garden. If your yard has a playground, some fun ways to get around the area include a rope ladder and a fire pole.
All raised areas of the garden should be fenced with railings. There are many elegant options to avoid creating a significant wooden barrier that interferes with the view or the overall aesthetic of the garden. Steel or wooden poles with tension cables look great in a modern scheme. Glass panels can provide an unobstructed view of the garden or field beyond.
Summary
There are many considerations when creating a sloping garden and many potential pitfalls. A good design with clear construction details, an experienced contractor, and a realistic budget will create an exceptional landscape.
