How to landscape slight slope in backyard?

[johnnyd]

Hi lovely community, I’ve been thinking about upgrading my backyard but not sure where to start. There’s a slight slope to the left corner and the whole backyard drops about 25cm in heights. Thinking about building a low retaining wall so I can flatten the lawn bit and make it a gathering space or some sorts, as it is currently a bit too tilted to keep any tables. Any ideas is greatly appreciated!

  

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @johnnyd 

  Switching a yard around is like moving into a new place, but you get to choose exactly what you want!

So a top down sketch would be a good place to start. Just a square shape of your backyard (or whatever shape it is)

Next we add in all the hard fixtures that you want to keep. For instance I really like that hedge on the back fence and the tree next to the green shed.

Potential things that can go/change to consider

- Tree stump to go. Get a stump grinding person in and do it properly. It will be worth it.

- Clothesline (go for the design fist and the see if it can fit afterwards but not in the middle of the yard.

- The tree near the shed, I like it but its your yard

- That low retaining wall, remove and stack for other use.

- Green shed, how necasary is it? Keep it if it is.

- That greenish fibreglass thing? Need it?, Screen it? Move it?

As much as I like retaining walls I am thinking of a smaller flatter area that you can either have a set table or a smaller specific area for tables to be set up in as needed. Less shifting soil, less drops in level of the ground, less drainage and you get to keep that nice looking lawn. (Im thinking gravel under the table, the sandstony type. With a timber edge around the area sunk into the ground so its level.

I am thinking of a flat area just down from where that stump is (towards the viewer), something that you could plonk something this size on it Outdoor table build 

Maybe twice as wide so you could get double the tables if needed for parties. (keeping in mind your clothesline)

Time to lift those paths Well consider moving them and maybe even changing the pavers to a newer style if the bank can handle it.

I would remove the whole outside ring effect, Have a straight path, That pretty much ends up with the closer edge going through the stump and then have a right angle to go to the she door. No path along the back of the yard.

Now that the small retaining wall is gone and you have more of a space between the fence and path, Some garden seating under the trees in the shade, maybe with a birdbath in the center. (Something a slab of wood can safely sit on for party nights) the rest of the time its a relaxing oasis.

Back fence - Where that path does the cuve towards the viewer. Im thinking of a over large solid garden seat with its back to the hedge/shubery. Maybe a gravel path towards the viewer?

For the slight drop in ground level underneath the table settings, those retaining wall blacks could be used to deliminate the bench area and also raise it the small height needed.

Whoops, almost forgot where to put the clothesline! Mmmm How about moving it up to right next to that path from the house to the shed and where it would cover the secondary table dragged out for parties? That way you could cover the top for sunny day protection or remove it for evening parties.

A few posts around the edge of the yard so you can string some party styled lights would bring the place to life at night. I would string wire between eyehooks  on the posts and attach the light strings you like to the wire so they will last longer and stand up to the wind.

So the second page you sketch, make it the same outline as the first. Then go through and add or cull my suggestions, switch in some of your own and build up small areas. You will soon have a picture forming in your mind

If my description is hard to visulise, let me know and I will sketch it out over the next few days if I can.

Dave

[JacobZ]

Hi @johnnyd,

If the aim is to just build up the lawn to be flatter, then adding a short retaining wall around the border of the grassed area would be the way to go.

You could use blocks like these Eziwall Blocks and Eziwall Lite Blocks, which would match the raised garden bed quite well.

The first thing you should do is consider the drainage of the space. If you add a retaining wall, then water has the potential to pool behind it, so adding some underground drainage channels in the form of drainage gravel and agi pipe, especially at the low point of the grassed area, would be worthwhile. Having a plumber connect this drainage to a stormwater pipe would also be ideal to carry the water away.

To install the block wall, you would have to start by digging out a trench around the perimeter of the lawn and adding a compacted base for the blocks. You could use around 100mm of road base, compacted with a tamper, to create a stable foundation for your blocks to sit on. At that height, there would be no real need to add any mortar or additional reinforcement.

Once the retaining wall is in place, you could backfill the area to level it out and then start reestablishing the lawn.

This is just one idea of how you could go about it. Allow me to tag @R4addZ, @Noyade and @mich1972 to see if they have any ideas.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[johnnyd]

Thanks heaps Dave! I’ll consider the points you raised (definitely with some planning it sounds like a bit of work lol) 

[johnnyd]

Thanks heaps Jacob! Just wondering if there’s any tricks to find the existing stormwater pipe (or if that’s 100% a plumber’s job)?

[EricL]

Hello @johnnyd 

The plumber should be able to track down your storm water pipe without too much trouble. 

Eric