Sloping garden in new build, should there be a retaining wall?

11 months ago

Our new build house is nearing completion and we have now seen the garden. We knew there would be a bit of a slope but are concerned about the huge drop off at the back of the garage and also the lack of retaining wall beneath the fence. I worry that a downpour of rain would lead to us losing garden to next door. Should there be a wall beneath the fence? You can clearly see daylight through the bottom. For reference we are higher than our neighbours to the side and rear.

The bottom left of the garden gets the evening sun so we'd like to put a patio there but concerned about there not being a retaining wall on this side either.

Thanks for any advice!

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Comments (5)

Sonia
11 months ago
One solution a possibly a decked area? Softwood is cheap, but doesn’t last long. Hardwood will be hardwearing but depends on your budget. Composite decking may be a solution.
Holly Davies thanked Sonia
Jen
11 months ago
Not an easy question to answer based on photographs, because the ability of soil to support itself depends on the angle of the slope and the type of soil. It also depends what you want to do with the space! Your slope looks to be around 1:4 to 1:5, which might be borderline for bare soil, but perhaps you could gently terrace the steeper sections using railway sleepers to support the soil and planting? A slope of 1:4 is normally fine if it is turfed. It may be best to chat to a garden landscaper to explore the options for this particular site.
Holly Davies thanked Jen
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PRO
AGI Landscapes
11 months ago
The fact you can see light below the fence line is nothing to worry about, it looks like all the surrounding gardens follow the same contours as yours, and there is no sudden drop between the gardens.

You say the rear left gets the last of the sun? Do you mean the place you are stood where you took the last photo from? Not the steep part behind the garage.

With a garden like this with so many varying contours it would be wise to get a professional designer involved to help you work with the levels.

One thing to consider, if you build up for your terrace you may be overlooking your neighbours garden, not nice for you or your neighbours.

I would work outwards from the base of the fence for the terrace an create multiple level surfaces with wide steps leading down and around your garden.

This is not really a garden where you will get a large area of level lawn, but you can have a smaller level lawn, but surrounded with borders and paths to the different areas, lawn, seat or bench for just chilling, terrace for the last of the sun.

You could create a beautiful little garden filled with texture and colour.

Hope this gives you some inspiration, and don't worry about the slope as being a problem, more a feature to create something with a wow factor.
Holly Davies thanked AGI Landscapes
Holly Davies
Original Author
11 months ago
Thank you all. I think it is the steep section near the back of the garage that concerns me the most as it is such a steep drop off and if we build it up the fence will be really low. Not quite sure what to do with that corner. Even with the drop off that bit of garden (near garage) is higher than next door. Our garden is also higher than the one be back on to but less worried about that but if we build a patio (not raised) would we need a retaining wall?

You say the rear left gets the last of the sun? Do you mean the place you are stood where you took the last photo from? Not the steep part behind the garage. Yes that's it, where I'm stood for the photo. I agree it would be overlooking if we built it up so a bit tricky.

Think perhaps we do need some specialist advice!
PRO
The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
11 months ago
Anything you plant on it will hugely help you ( the roots system) with erosion (if this is your worry).

Completely agree with AGI landscapes, sloping gardens present great opportunities to create some nice vistas and layouts in the garden. It is not a problem at all and a good designer will help you to achieve that.

As sonia said, decking is the most budget friendly solution to create a seating area on a sloping garden. I do advise on hardwood as it is more expensive but does last longer. Environment friendly composite decking is also a good alternative.

I would create a decked leveled area where you get the evening sun and where you have the drop in front of the garage, I would put a retaining wall in front and create a raised bed. I would then work with planting in this bed to screen off the fence and give you privacy. I would then work with the rest of the garden with paths and planting. You can get privacy for your overlooked garden if you work with the planting in a clever way.

I provide online based garden design and could help you with this if you are interested.

www.therootedconceptgardendesign.co.uk

All the best,

Deborah

deborahbiasoli@gmail.com

Sloping garden in new build, should there be a retaining wall?

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Sloping garden in new build, should there be a retaining wall?

Comments (5)

Sonia

Jen

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Holly DaviesOriginal Author

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Holly Davies
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