Taming the slope!

The first half  of the "Bottom Garden" is fairly steeply sloped, dropping around 5 feet, before reaching the fairly flat second half. A lot of the sloping section gets sun for probably 3/4 of the day, so I wanted to find a solution to managing the change in levels that also allowed me to use this space for growing fruit and vegetables. It was known as the "Allotment Area" on my early plans :-)

The greenhouse and shed bases form the first terrace of this section, being cut back a bit into the Top Garden. There are 3 steps down to "greenhouse level" so an 18" drop.

The path along the back of the greenhouse is down a further 6" step and this also forms the top level for the first planting bed. I made the path fairly wide to try and prevent damage to the greenhouse.

The main part of the level change is being achieved by building 2 raised veg beds. Each is approximately 8' x 4' and will be level with the path at the high side and 24" above the path on the low side. 4 steps down the side will bring you from upper to lower level.

I formed the "top ring" first and concreted in the posts to set the level correctly. Then dug out from under the top ring and screwed the lower sleepers to the posts.

With the planting bed finished, I could start on the steps. I used the same method and sizes as the steps down from the Top Garden to the greenhouse level, to try and avoid any trips etc. Amazing how the brain calibrates to a step size!

Having done that I could grade the topsoil up the sides. It was really nice starting to see the form take shape and I've planted some annual flower seeds I had in those slopes for now just to try and brighten things up a bit.

I dug the topsoil out of the path behind the greenhouse and moved it into the planter and onto the slopes. Then I got rid of quite a lot of hardcore; mostly from the redundant path up the side of the Top Garden, which will ultimately become a planting border.

With the hardcore in, I filled up almost to top level with crushed stone. Ultimately, a finishing layer of slate chippings will be added.

It's getting a lot easier to see the form of the Bottom Garden now, with just about 2.5' of slope left to tame! The next bed will be a mirror image of this one with the steps on the other side. That will take 2' out and then just another 6" to lose which can be gently graded away