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You are here: Home / Home Decor / How To Build A Tiered Garden On A Slope [Terraced Garden Beds]

How To Build A Tiered Garden On A Slope [Terraced Garden Beds]

July 28, 2012 by Scarlet

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A sloped garden can seem like a bit of a nuisance; it’s notoriously difficult to plant anything on a hill and there is a risk of erosion. Such a slope, though, can easily become a thing of beauty with a little effort, vision and a touch of landscape gardening. Terraced garden beds, whereby a terraced garden wall is used to break up the slope and make it more usable, have huge potential.  Whatever kind of space you want to create, a slope need not hold you back!  Here are some ideas for how to build a tiered garden on a slope as well as some functional terraced garden ideas you may like to try.

These terraced garden bed ideas were provided by Joel for Gardens Galore, the award-winning Scotland & UK garden landscaping company.

terraced gardens ideas

How To Build A Tiered Garden On A Slope: A Terraced Retaining Wall Can Be Used To Create Terraced Garden Beds

There are many different ways that terracing can be used, and these kinds of gardens/backyards are often more dynamic and beautiful than flat spaces. Separate terraces can have their own unique themes with paths winding between. Why not include a set of terraces that are flower or vegetable beds, for examples, then others for lawn or patio? Water features look great cascading between different levels of terraced garden beds.

Terraced Gardens

Edible Terraced Garden Beds

If you like the idea of growing your own vegetables, a sloped garden can become the perfect place to do it. The Incas, who were agricultural pioneers, created fertile farmland from the Peruvian mountainsides by using terraces and irrigation channels.

Copy this model by creating a series of terraces on your sloped garden. After digging out trenches at calculated intervals, wooden supports such as railway sleepers and wooden stakes can be used to support and define the beds. By constructing a set of steps down the centre of the garden and paths in front of the beds you then have perfect terrain for vegetable growing.

A Tranquil Haven Terrace

If you desire a relaxing patio area on your sloped garden then this is absolutely possible. Again, the terracing method will need to be employed. Why not have one terrace for the barbecue, another for the dining table and another for sunbathing and relaxing?

Use rows of trees and shrubs for seclusion, and consider a staggered water feature to enhance the tranquil atmosphere.

terraced backyard ideas

Kid Friendly Terrace

There’s no reason why you can’t use terracing to make your sloped garden into a kid friendly space. Using the terracing method, you can create a lawn at the bottom of the slope where kids can play safely. If you’re worried about the steps then handrails are a great idea, either traditional wood or contemporary metal designs.

Terraced Garden Logistics

Most landscaping companies will offer a terraced retaining wall service that covers everything from design to construction. You can tell them exactly what you want to include and get them to draw up the plans.

If your terracing project is fairly small scale and you want to have a go yourself then be aware that the work is extremely physically demanding (lots of soil lugging!), and that the initial design work and calculations must be carried out properly. Bear in mind that narrower beds are best, as you can then dig shallower trenches. There are loads of fantastic step-by-step guides to terracing online.

terraced garden design

I hope you found these ideas for how to build a tiered garden on a slope helpful. Have you ever terraced a sloping garden? What would be your top tips for creating terraced garden beds to share with other readers?

Related Posts:

5 Fun Backyard Summer Party Ideas For Adults

Great Outdoor Gift Ideas For Kids

Vegetable Gardening For Beginners

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Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: gardening, landscaping

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Steph says

    July 28, 2012 at 8:24 am

    What a creative and practical way to adapt to the natural landscape.

  2. Neez says

    January 22, 2016 at 5:57 am

    If you are going for landscaping ideas for hills, these are great!

  3. Gena says

    August 2, 2016 at 12:51 am

    It has always been an enticing idea to make a steep rockery garden. It makes it look natural, but if you arrange well enough, you will get a mix of natural looks and artificial beauty. Thank you

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