Heights & levels

Any garden design should include a contrast between the horizontal and vertical elements. Expanses of open lawn should have vertical interruptions here and there to provide interest.

The levels in your garden will usually be dictated by the existing form of the land as it can be expensive to carry out major earth-moving works.

For very steep gardens, a series of terraces with matching steps can provide an attractive and functional solution.

If you currently have a flat garden area, it will be more cost effective to introduce planting or built features such as pergolas to add a vertical interest. More ideas and information on these elements can be found on the Building in Your Garden section of our site.

If your garden is sloping, you have the option of keeping the slope more or less as it is or creating a series of terraces although the latter is likely to involve the construction of new retaining walls.

If you do decide to alter the ground levels, it is worth considering employing a landscaping contractor for this work as they will have the equipment (and know how to use it!). Make sure that any machinery can gain access into your garden

Remember to stack and reuse any topsoil ready for reuse.

Most homeowners prefer the patio close to the house – a retaining wall and steps such as this is a typical solution

Leveling is of particular importance for the construction of patios and lawns and the area to be leveled should be assessed carefully in order to minimise the amount of soil to be moved during leveling.

If a garden has considerable variations in level it may be more realistic to work with the contours, constructing walls, terraces, sunken gardens and or water features.

However you decide to deal with the levels in your garden, remember that form should follow function so decide on what the spaces will be used for before you start moving the earth.