Terraced Gardens
A terraced garden can help to transform a sloping hillside into an area which is suitable for planting. Terraces can also help to create an area of focus within a backyard, utilising space in otherwise cramped conditions. Indeed – this is not a new concept – the hanging gardens of Babylon (one of the worlds seven wonders) being one of the most prolific examples in history of the technique. With written accounts by Greek poets and historians, and known as “Nebuchadnezzar’s Hanging Gardens” the writing depicts great beauty and prestige with plants which have been “cultivated above ground levels on stone pillars”. Utilising dry-build garden walling products from Acheson & Glover – you too can create your own interpretation of these hanging gardens.
Materials needed.
Traditionally terraced gardens were created using timber railway sleepers, known as timber “cribs” – however in recent years these have fallen out of favour with many due to the environmental issues of needing wood treatment with chemicals. Without such treatment they don’t last for very long and are susceptible to rot and decay. In addition flat concrete walls don’t have a mass appeal from an aesthetic point of view, and can be difficult to install adequate drainage. With the provision of easy to build garden retaining walls, building terraced gardens has never been easier. Garden steps can be easily incorporated into the overall design – giving access to plants regardless of how tall the garden terrace happens to be. In addition the wide range of colours and product styles helps to compliment soft landscaping with “natural stone look” walling.
Product Selection.
If you are unsure as to what product to use – you can consult the Anchorwall block size guide (external link), which details how many courses of garden blocks you will need to achieve the required heights of walls. Different heights also require different blocks due to the system being reliant on the weight of the block. Acheson & Glover can also offer expert advice on construction and engineering for more difficult projects.
Terraces Safety
We recommend that if you are building a garden terrace yourself that the first course of blocks be the tallest or the same as your first course. For example your second terrace should not exceed the height of the first and so on. Another rule of thumb for safety is that the distance between the terraces is twice the measurement for height.
Building a terrace.
With the availability of retaining wall contractors many people choose to bring in someone to do the job for them – particularly if the idea that they have is bigger than them! If you need a contractor for this purpose then why not contact some of our installers, and rest assured that these guys will provide you with a finished project that is first class. However if you choose to go it alone and you’re project plans are a bit smaller you simply need to plan whereabouts to place your terraces. Decide on how far about the garden terraces will be from each other before starting, and from that you can begin. You may want to follow our guide on how to build garden walls located on another page on this website. Theses pictures of garden terraces below showcase what can be done with a little imagination!
