Sloped lot with retaining wall

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Our new home is on a sloped lot with a retaining wall that used to house an in-ground pool that was filled in years ago. We would like to get as much use out of our yard as possible but are on a limited budget. We have had 2 bids that were too costly or not what we had in mind. Any ideas on what to do on a budget? Any advice is greatly appreciated. More photos available.

Thanks in advance!

Amber

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Yardvaark

8 years ago

The first thing I would do if in your shoes is create a master plan. It's a map of the property showing how you intend to develop it, on whatever schedule you choose. The value of such a plan is knowing what's coming and where it's located. This prevents placing any future landscape development (walk, wall, drive, water feature, etc.) from being placed somewhere and then later discovering that it destroys other better possibilities. In other words, get it all figured out before you build anything, even the planting beds. If DIY, a master plan costs no more than a paper and pencil. And don't let the term throw you ... it's general, not complicated and detailed. Detail would come later for those things that need it.

Based on your pictures (which are incomplete) I can see you need grading in order to have a "floor" to the yard that is not an eyesore. But before the grading is performed, you'd need to know what development will come after -- maybe just planting beds ...? -- as it doesn't make sense to grade and then determine that it doesn't suit what's coming.

I see the rock "retaining" wall, but what is that linear ridge above it? Is there something hard, buried there?

It would be good if in the future your pictures are larger and clearer.

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Comments (7)

Elizabeth B
8 years ago
Post more pictures of the yard..also yard with the house in it. The house must be built up?
tatts
8 years ago
You didn't say what you want to do other than "...get as much use out of our yard as possible but are on a limited budget." What use? Croquet? Tennis? Garden parties?

What were the bids for? What did you want done.

You need to give us specifics. Kids? Young? Old?
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gtcircus
8 years ago
More pictures please. Again, what did you ask these landscapers to do that was “too expensive?” Do you expect a magic wand? This yard is a mess and it will take significant work to bring it up to standards and it concerns me that you are unwilling to put the effort and financial resources to the project necessary to meet your goals so you need to let us know your budget
kay kin
8 years ago
This is a dilemma! I suspect most of the money you spend will not be seen above ground. If you live in the north, a footer (below frost level) will be needed for any wall material you choose, tree roots are an issue, drainage also. The least expensive route would be to landscape the slope in a terrace pattern. Immediate gratification is not in the big picture, sorry to say.
partim
8 years ago
I'm guessing that the retaining wall option was too costly, and that the juniper plantings were not what you had in mind. I think the junipers would look fine so not sure why that doesn't appeal to you.

Unless you want to enlarge the flat areas of your yard? Upper or lower? In that case a retaining wall is one solution. Or, you can deck over the slope to get more flat area, but not sure whether you would want a deck in that spot.

If you can be more specific about what you mean by "get as much use out of our yard as possible" then maybe people can provide better ideas.
gtcircus
8 years ago
“We are not willing to put in thousands of dollars to make it pretty.” Then why are you asking for any advise on this forum? It will take several thousands of dollars to fix that yard and I would guess the hardscape plus plantings will run in materials alone $3-$4000. What most people do not understand is that their landscaping is anywhere from 5-15% of the value of their home. It can be more if you have mature trees - just check you home owner’s insurance! That said I would stop and just mow the area until you have the time and resources to devote to the project. In the interim time, read garden books and magazines to collect photos of the look you want.