Kids love rolling down a sloping backyard, and while for gardeners a slope can present some challenges, it also offers a lot of opportunities. Having that third dimension to your land opens up design options that flat gardens can’t match.
A sloping site is the perfect foundation for terraced flower beds, rockeries, a sweep of steps or even a waterfall feature.
With a little help from retaining walls, terracing and careful plant selection, sloping yards can become beautiful gardens that are functional and sustainable.
That kids’ playground will grow into a blooming paradise!
Common problems a sloping garden can have
Sloping gardens can look beautiful, but they require a little finesse when it comes to planning and creating. Here’s what to consider before you get started:
- Lawns can be tricky to mow on a sloping site.
- Rainwater runs down the slope, taking topsoil and nutrients with it. This creates dry, nutrient-poor soil at the top and damp soil, sometimes a bog, at the bottom.
- Rainwater also destabilises the soil and can cause erosion.
- Access to plants for feeding and pruning can be difficult.
How steep is your slope?
Gradients are defined as the ratio of vertical rise to horizontal projection. A ratio of 1:8 means that for every 8 metres of horizontal distance, the rise is no more than 1 metre.
Based on this, a ratio of 1:3 means the gradient is very steep and probably can’t support plant life. A ratio of 1:15 means your slope is gentle.
Gentle sloping garden
There’s no need for terracing or retaining walls with a gentle slope, but it’s important to strategically design where you place what plants to cater for the variety of soil quality and weather impacts.
Medium sloping garden
Terracing breaks up the slope into a series of levels, linked by steps that make it easier to tend your plants. By creating multiple levels, you both stabilise the slope and maximise space.
Building terraces can be labour-intensive, so be sure to consult a landscaper for assistance if needed.
Steep sloping garden
The best option here is a retaining wall. This means excavating soil, building the wall, backfilling behind the wall, and levelling the remaining soil both behind and in front, creating two flat garden areas.
Depending on your garden’s size, this may be a job for professionals!
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