How to create a garden against a gradient?

Hi Oli33vier, I reckon terracing is one option, though I'm not an expert on how. When you start removing the vegetation, you have potential for soil erosion problems when it rains. Turfing may be a good solution, rolling out purchased turf. Vincas are excellent plants for growing on steep slopes, and planting them would be best as spring work. You may well find there is a list of plants which serve in similar ways, especially if soil is bare. You could do an internet search on 'plants for slopes'. You have a really nice stone wall at the base with ferns in it. That looks a good asset. I would think it best not to disturb the soil at all where the roots of your trees at the top are anchored.
I hope this helps a little, Best wishes, JONATHAN H.

Gardens that I have enjoyed visiting with similar steep slopes have level paths cut across the slope and a low wall on the uphill side of the path.

Jonathan, thanks for your input... I will certainly do a search on plants for slopes. Didn't cross my mind to use the word slopes at all when doing the search.

Thank you very much.

Duncan

Bulbaholic

May I ask how high these walls were? That is what I was thinking, but thought of flattening the base of the garden to put a greenhouse up... but that would mean that I would have to dig out some soil... this is where I get a bit weary.

Duncan

I have a friend whose garden is on a very steep slope. Hers is terraced, with steps down one side (although they were there when she she bought the house) and the garden is divided into 5 terraces, with stone walls holding back the soil on each terrace. I'm sure this would involve alot of work and great expense to do from scratch.

If you're interested, she did start a blog which has a plan of her garden as well as many photos - it's out of date as she's been too busy to keep it up, but still might help you.

http://jayteesgarden.blogspot.com/

Madmum

Thank you for the blogspot... I will contact her for maybe some photos from a collective view just to see how deep teh terraces are apart from each other... I think it will be expensive and a lot of hard work, but then we bought this house because of its location. I am desperate to live here for the next 30 years... living in hope that development will not encroach us in the near future.

I am thinking of maybe doing a course on dry stone walling, to try and do it myself over the years.

But thank you for your advice. Am very impressed with this site and the calibre of knowledgeble people on it.

Duncan

I think each terrace has a wall around 3 or 4 feet tall. I suppose you could start with the top terrace and work down gradually.

Any reason for working your way down? I thought of working my way up, only because of fear of earth moving down... so thought if I start strengthening the bottom area with walls, then I should be okay... but I would be grateful if anybody with more experience could explain any other points of view.

Thanks again

D

I was assuming your house was at the top, but if it's at the bottom then reverse the procedure! lol I'm no expert either ;) If there's access for a mini digger, you can hire them and do the bulk of the digging in a day?

True, that makes sense... I will look into it... will have to possibly employ a surveyor to have a look at... Maybe that sounds a bit over the top, but I do not wish to see any landslides.

Thanks for all your support.. hope to add some photos over the months as we start working on the garden.

Duncan

The walls I am thinking of are quite low, say 12 inches plus or minus a few. I suspect it would depend on just how steep your slope is.
You certainly want to avoid landslides if your house is at the bottom of the slope lol!