How To Terrace a Sloping Garden

From Unispiring to Admiring:

phpy of irrigated terraces constructed with stones — Gabion baskets are used to retain terraces

Creating terraces is an excellent garden slope idea to add functional and aesthetic value. Follow these steps to ensure a successful and long-lasting result:

Starting your terrace:

Often the hardest part of any new project is knowing where to start and learning how to terrace a sloping garden is no diffferent - and you will find these handy basics make the whole project run more smoothly, be quicker to complete and result in the structure being more robust.

Start at the bottom: Level the area where you want to begin by using a laser if available, or stakes and a spirit level to mark your way across the area. String lines can help maintain accuracy over longer distances. (Tip: Use steel rebar stakes for sturdiness)
Consider a line level if you don't have a laser.
Digging the Terraces: Start at the lowest point of the slope and dig horizontally into the hill to create flat sections.
Slope the Back slightly angle the rear of each terrace for stability and drainage.
Work your way backwards: If you want your terraces to be the same, like steps, you can use a step calculator to learn how to build garden steps and work out the 'tread' and rise for your terraces.

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How to Retain your Garden Terraces:

Retain each area using your preferred method of retaining. Some options are: gabion baskets, much like the image at the top of this page, brick walls, or sleepers. Make sure you allow for drainage to avoid putting too much pressure on the walls. (Tip: Use a perforated pipe under shingle at the base of the retaining walls for drainage. You can also use ‘weep holes’—small holes that allow water to pass through, commonly used in
masonry.)
Backfilling
- Fill with Soil: Add layers of soil behind the retaining wall, compacting each layer gently to avoid settling.
- Incorporate Organic Material: Mix compost or other organic material into the soil to improve fertility.
Make sure you use a sufficient sub-base for your retaining walls:
Bricks: Need a concrete foundation around 150–300 mm thick, depending on the wall height. Reinforce it with steel rebar for added strength.
Gabion Baskets: Require at least 100 mm of compacted Type 1 aggregate.
Sleepers: Don’t need a sub-base, but it’s recommended to use posts concreted into the ground. (Tip: Cover the underground parts of the posts with damp-proof membrane (DPM) to prevent rotting. It’s also a good idea to lay sleepers on a sub-base like shingle or Type 1 aggregate to keep them dry.)
Erosion Control and Drainage
- Add Ground Cover Plants: Use fast-growing ground covers or grasses to stabilize the soil on terrace edges.
- Install Drainage Channels: Ensure each terrace has proper drainage to prevent water pooling or soil erosion.
- Erosion Control: Use geotextiles or grass reinforcement mats to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. Pair this with permeable pathways to handle foot traffic without harming the environment.
- Erosion Control: Use geotextiles or grass reinforcement mats to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. Pair this with permeable pathways to handle foot traffic without harming the environment.

Terraces are a great way to add different features and elements to your garden or to manage an undesirable slope. They can create distinct levels, making the space more functional and visually interesting.

Apply the Final Touches to your Terraces

Level and Smooth: Ensure each terrace is flat and ready for planting or other uses.
Mulch and Edge: Apply mulch to planted areas and add edging for a polished look.
Inspect for Stability: Double-check retaining walls and terraces for any signs of instability.
Cladding and finishing: Depending on your choice of structure you can further enhance the visual appeal of your terrace construction a number of options exist to clad the retaining structure in materials that include stone, metal, timber or artificial grass.
Biodiversity Opportunities: Incorporate wildflower borders or rain gardens around reinforced areas to support pollinators and improve water management.
Create seating and relaxtion spaces: Often this part can be considered the most enjoyable part, applying the design elements and creating the usable space for you, your family and friends to enjoy time and time again.

For top tips on how to visualise your Garden Ideas and create mood boards, browse our 'Garden Inspiration' blog and contact Sam for details or to arrange a quote for landscaping even the toughest of gardens in and around Leyton, Leytonstone, and Wanstead, as well as the green spaces of Woodford and the bustling hubs of Stratford and Walthamstow.