Sloping yards can present landscaping difficulties, no doubt. But they also embody plenty of potential, if you know how to plan the landscaping design just right.

Two of the biggest issues you face when you have a sloping block of land are:

  • Flooding
  • Accessibility

Here we consider how you can turn a landscaping nightmare into a dream.

Decking

A neglected sloping garden is a dead space. Adding a deck onto a communal living area adds square metres, and therefore value, to your home.

Add some decorative yet practical railings and you’ve got a safe, accessible space for your children, pets and any elderly or disabled family members – even friends who’ve had a few drinks.

Enjoy an elevated view and, if you’re worried about privacy or exposure to the elements, install a roof and some blinds, making it more than a deck – but an outdoor room.

Retaining walls

If your home is located in an area of difficult terrain, it is essential to strengthen the slopes – especially if that area is prone to wet weather.

Retaining walls are the obvious choice for such sloping plots and allow you to eliminate the problem with soil erosion.

You’ll find a lot of DIY articles on how to build retaining walls on the internet, but as always, we advise against it. A retaining wall is a specially engineered stabilising structure. If it should fail significant damage may follow so trying to cut costs could end up being costly.

Retaining walls are also a powerful element in landscape design, allowing landscapers to make the best of different level heights in the garden. Gorgeous flower beds that are located on higher ground levels look particularly beautiful.

Planting

Some of the best plants for a slope are ground covers that tend to root along the length of their stems, forming a mat.

Deep-rooted plants, ornamental grasses, ground cover roses and shrubs are also a good choice.

Avoid planting shallow rooted trees on a slope, as the risk of toppling is too great.

For obligation free consultations, quotes and advice on any or all of the above, call Empire Retaining Walls & Landscaping on 0421 573 001. We offer services in these areas>