Changes of level in a garden<\/a> always make for a more interesting and dynamic composition \u2013 they allow views to be blocked or opened up, increasing visual drama.\u00a0Steps<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0ramps<\/strong>\u00a0are the two basic alternatives to deal with level changes in the garden.<\/div>\n\n
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$\""Forest\"$ <\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section><\/div>\n
Levels are a challenge and ideally you would avoid using retaining walls \u2013 not only are they costly, but they can really break up a garden\u2019s flow even when planted above and below.<\/p>\n
A sloping border allows a tumble of plants where you can play with the height of plants<\/a> to create an unusual effect. Tall plants, such as\u00a0Verbena<\/a> bonariensis<\/em>, can almost appear to be understorey planting.<\/p>\n
There is a lot of natural run-off with slopes \u2013 they are drier at the top than the bottom, so the right plant in the right place is key. Read our piece on how to conserve water in garden design.\u00a0 <\/a>Installing irrigation when the garden is laid out will avoid plant losses in dry weather<\/a>, where watering by hand might be awkward.<\/p>\n
Hard landscaping almost always includes a flat area of terracing \u2013 using the same material for steps makes the garden more cohesive allowing one area to fade into the next. Read on for more sloping garden ideas and inspiration.<\/p>\n
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Sloping garden ideas<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Garden steps<\/h3>\n
Steps are the most efficient means of changing level, but many people mistakenly use indoor step measurements out of doors, where the scale is very different.<\/div>\n\n
Steps consist of the \u2018riser\u2019 \u2013 the vertical face of the step \u2013 and the \u2018tread\u2019, the horizontal surface on which you stand. Indoors, where we need to climb in a more restricted space, typical dimensions are 17-18cm riser height and 22-24cm tread depth.<\/div>\n\n
Out of doors these dimensions will seem mean and dangerous, creating a sense of tipping forward as one moves down the stairs. The return journey, especially in steeply sloping gardens, can prove difficult and tiring. Interior dimensions will only really work in tight spaces, for example in smaller urban gardens where decks or balconies need access to the garden level.<\/div>\n\n
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A general rule of thumb for garden steps<\/strong>\u00a0is a 15cm maximum riser and 30cm minimum tread depth. This ratio produces a more relaxed angle of ascent or descent, resulting in steps more successfully proportioned to the greater outdoor scale.<\/div>\n\n
It is useful to consider the steps themselves as a design feature rather than simply as a means of access. A wide terrace benefits from wide steps, preferably the same width as the terrace. It will emphasise horizontal surfaces and give the garden a greater sense of space. Similarly, if a pathway<\/a> is 1.5m wide, make the steps the same width rather than creating a restriction to easy movement.<\/div>\n\n
Individual treads can also be more than the minimum 30cm. If space allows, steps can be 1m deep or more, creating a much more elegant \u2018going\u2019, while also providing spaces for the display of sculpture or containers.<\/div>\n\n
Safety considerations for garden steps<\/h4>\n
If you get steps wrong, they are potentially dangerous. They can also be difficult for disabled people. Well-designed steps do not need to represent a safety hazard, but there are some basic considerations. A single step is dangerous if people fail to see the change in level. If this is unavoidable consider a change of material along the edge of the step to mark its location. Lighting can also be added to identify the step from the side.<\/div>\n\n
A more subtle alternative is to recess LED strips<\/a> under the tread paving to shine down the riser face. This needs an overhang on the tread paving of 40mm or so \u2013 the overhanging paving will also produce a shadow line in daylight, which again marks the step. Balustrades and handrails are not a legal obligation for garden steps, but may well help anyone unsure of their footing.<\/div>\n\n\n
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Garden step ideas<\/h3>\n
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