questions about landscaping?
stumped asked:
my back yard is on a slope and has a retaining wall,so the backyard is about 4 feet higher than the patio.What can be done to give better access to the upper yard while still creating a nice looking landscape.
my back yard is on a slope and has a retaining wall,so the backyard is about 4 feet higher than the patio.What can be done to give better access to the upper yard while still creating a nice looking landscape.
3 Responses to “questions about landscaping?”
Build steps out of treated lumber to the top of the retaining wall.Put down stepping stones to make a path in the upper lawn with some flowers and a few select rocks
Ofcourse I’m not there to see it myself… but if the image in my head is right.
I think building a set of stairs is right on. However, the next part is really tricky. Once you remove any vegetation from the ‘path’, it will become a ’stream’ for rainwater or irrigation water to run down, right onto your patio. To solve that, you really need to terrace the whole landscape… which might or might not be what you want to do. You MIGHT be able to somewhat alleviate that problem, by installing a drain and drainage tile along the wall. Place the drain so that it would be concealed by the stairs. Run the drainage tile so it will take excess water away from the path, and disperse it.
Very tricky situation…
Good luck-
It depends on how much money you have to spend. You can take away the stone wall and use the stones to make stepped gardens, or grass areas. Make them so that they are deep enough to put in some nice plants, and the steps should be easy to climb. This is providing, of course, that you have enough room to do this, otherwise, make a stairway in the stone wall. You can use stepping stones and tuck in low growing herbs like creeping thyme, creeping chamomile, etc. They will tolerate some foot traffic and release a wonderful aroma.