Slope in garden what to do

deccydohc

A wheeled strimmer might be suitable. Be easy to manoeuvre - https://robertkee.ie/product/tondu-hwtl-wheeled-trimmer

looksee

CJhaughey wrote: »

I'd bang in some retainers and use timber sleepers to raise the part at the patio by 300mm or so, then back fill and level it a bit and plant some low shrubs, maybe use rocks and make a rockery which will need even less maintenance.

Noooooooo. Not a rockery if you want maintenance free/minimum maintenance. Rockeries look lovely when they are just done, but then they are a full time job weeding as grass and weeds get into all the little nooks and crannies in the rocks and its a nightmare if it gets out of hand. If you have loads of time and want a project, fine. Otherwise forget it.

my3cents

looksee wrote: »

Noooooooo. Not a rockery if you want maintenance free/minimum maintenance. Rockeries look lovely when they are just done, but then they are a full time job weeding as grass and weeds get into all the little nooks and crannies in the rocks and its a nightmare if it gets out of hand. If you have loads of time and want a project, fine. Otherwise forget it.

While I agree, it sort of depends on how well the rockery is created in the first place. Make a rockery on garden soil and you are in for a massive amount of work weeding. Alpine plants just don't grow in garden soil because most weeds will grow faster.

Some of the best "rockeries" I know have 6 inches of crushed rock over very well drained subsoil and more rock.

If you do it right and go to all the effort then the maintenance is lowered a good bit just that most people don't do it that way.

looksee

Thanks, thats interesting my3cents. I never bothered to properly investigate how to build a rockery (apart from knowing not to do the 'spotted dick'* type construction).

* I may need to explain that spotted dick is a type of boiled suet pudding with raisins, the scattering of raisins on the surface giving a similar effect to building a rockery by putting too-small stones on the surface of a mound of earth

my3cents

looksee wrote: »

Thanks, thats interesting my3cents. I never bothered to properly investigate how to build a rockery (apart from knowing not to do the 'spotted dick'* type construction).

* I may need to explain that spotted dick is a type of boiled suet pudding with raisins, the scattering of raisins on the surface giving a similar effect to building a rockery by putting too-small stones on the surface of a mound of earth

There's another name I use which comes from some famous garden writer I can't remember the name of "Devil's Lapful". Then there's the Dogs Graveyard.

Just looked it up and it was Reginald Farrer in his book My Rock-Garden https://books.google.ie/books?id=DHZJsqBZvMMC&pg=PA8&lpg=PA8&dq=devils+lapful+rockery&source=bl&ots=W-es3JQPGh&sig=ACfU3U33cxXrd1GUvKVWEH8gsOeX5QtYDQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjD5v3Sj4PkAhWeXRUIHfVqAlUQ6AEwAXoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=devils%20lapful%20rockery&f=false but I've read the terms in other books.

Its very similar to growing wild flowers in a wild flower meadow you have to provide the right conditions that don't favour weeds, in most cases that means poor soil is best. Although we have a good few weeds that like the same conditions bittercress being a good example of a plant that grows to seed very quickly on in very poor conditions and comes from an alpine type of environment.

Marcusm

BrownFinger wrote: »

Thats very steep,must be nearly 90 degrees .

Do you have to abseil down ?

90 degrees is exactly perpendicular. That is far beyond the picture shown! I’d say below 40 degrees.

looksee

Marcusm wrote: »

90 degrees is exactly perpendicular. That is far beyond the picture shown! I’d say below 40 degrees.

...they were being - a little bit - sarcastic!

pwurple

Marcusm wrote: »

90 degrees is exactly perpendicular. That is far beyond the picture shown! I’d say below 40 degrees.

The photo is rotated...


OP, I suggest terracing as well. I did this before, it's not too much effort and is easy to maintain afterwards. Dig a triangle shape out of the soil and use that soil to build the level flat.

Just some low retaining walls that can be either plastered and painted, or with a stone or timber finish.
You could plant it up, or leave it as grass or gravel, whichever you prefer. If doing grass, do a mowing strip at the back to save you strimming.



Two terraces would do it, and you can let the lower wall be about seat height, which can double as a bench for picnic tables, or sitting on to use the garden.

here are some fancy versions from the internet for inspiration.

pwurple

Here's a grassy terrace, I like the bench on the bottom.



You can google images anyway to see what's possible.

cnocbui

Amazing what you can do with a magic wand...

pwurple

cnocbui wrote: »

Amazing what you can do with a magic wand...

And a shovel. :pac:

Roll up those sleeves.