Often a dacha plot is located on a slope, which makes landscape design difficult. Terracing comes to the rescue, thanks to which the owner receives several multi-level platforms with a perfectly flat surface. Terracing slopes solves several problems: strengthening slopes, preventing soil sliding, ensuring full use of the site.
Principles of terracing
Terracing is the construction of wide areas on which ornamental and agricultural crops can be planted.
The technology is widespread in countries with predominantly mountainous terrain, thanks to it it is possible to obtain fruit crops at an altitude of up to 3 thousand meters above sea level.
At proper planning and carrying out the work, even seemingly hopeless areas are transformed, the terraces not only become the highlight of the landscape design, but also allow the owners to cultivate grapes, vegetables and fruit crops.
There are several principles of terracing that should be followed when carrying out work:
- A surface storm drainage system is required.
- Arrival for transport should be thought out from the very beginning.
- The work should not change the natural topography of the slope.
- The project should include buildings and recreation areas.
Terraces are constructed using the method of erecting retaining walls., the platforms communicate with each other using stairs, ramps, and paths. The size of each terrace is determined by the size of the plot and the angle of the slope.
The most favorable season for work on terracing the site is autumn or early spring. At this time, it is much easier to compact the soil; after finishing the work, you can sow lawn grass, plant trees and shrubs.
Types of terraces
Before starting to develop the slope, it is necessary to decide which terraces will be built. There are several varieties depending on the angle of inclination and the purpose of landscape design.
The following types of terraces are distinguished:
After a detailed study of the types of terraces, even beginners can choose the most suitable option for their site; To make your choice easier, you can watch a video on the Internet with detailed description terracing technologies.
Construction of retaining walls
After determining the number of sites, detailed design and procurement necessary materials start construction. The slope is marked using wooden pegs, placing them along the lines of the terraces. After this, they begin to fill the sites, then they are strengthened with retaining walls, which are divided into several types depending on the material of manufacture.
Types of retaining walls and methods of their construction:
- Wooden - wooden walls look aesthetically pleasing, but they have a huge disadvantage - they are short-lived. For construction, logs or beams are used, burying them in the ground to a depth equal to the height of the wall. The logs are placed in a trench, at the bottom of which crushed stone is poured; The logs are fastened together with nails and iron wire. In order to increase the resistance of a wooden wall to moisture, its lower part is covered with roofing felt; in addition, the logs must be treated with special antifungal compounds. Final stage- filling the trench with concrete, filling with earth, compacting the soil.
- Concrete is not the most beautiful view supports, so after its construction the concrete is covered with pebbles or decorative tiles. To build a concrete wall, a wooden formwork is made, inside which stones and gravel are poured in layers. Each layer is poured with concrete, and drainage is laid at a height of 5 cm from the soil level.
- Stone - these walls are the most expensive, but also the most aesthetic and durable. Granite, basalt, and quartzite are used for construction. The stones are connected to each other with cement, you can also use dry masonry when no cement mortar is used.
- Brick walls look great if the house is made of the same brick. The ideal material is clinker brick with increased strength and water resistance. This requires the construction of a concrete foundation; holes are left in the first row of masonry to drain moisture. The wall below should be reinforced with a second row of bricks.
Climbing plants are planted along the retaining walls, the terraces are decorated with flower beds, vases, and you can decorate the terraces with mini-fountains or waterfalls. It is imperative to plant fruit or wild shrubs on the slopes of the sites so that they keep the soil from sliding with their roots.
Terracing technology opens up new landscape design opportunities for owners of plots with complex terrain; all you need to do is turn on your imagination and put in a little effort.
In this article we will offer you ideas that will help you arrange a site that has a noticeable slope. We hope that our tips will help you turn the presence of a slope from a disadvantage into an advantage of the site, its highlight and the most noticeable element of landscape design.
Typically, flat terrain is positioned as the main advantage of the local area. In fact, on such a plot it is easier to carry out construction and landscape design; you can choose any project you like.
However, if your plot of land has a noticeable slope, you should not give up and assume that nothing can be done about it. There are several options for turning a slope into the most beautiful element of the plot. We will offer you the most interesting of them in this article.
When developing a site with a slope, we must not forget about convenient routes of movement. If the slope is very noticeable, of course you can’t do without ladders and steps
1. Deck
A real deck can be built over a slope using decking boards. This platform will offer a beautiful view, and the deck itself will be an ideal place for relaxing in the fresh air. Most often, such sites are arranged near the house, but they can be built in any part of the garden that differs in slope.
The deck can be supported on pillars or securely concrete foundation. Used terrace board, which perfectly withstands all temperature changes and is not afraid of moisture
On the deck overlooking the site, of course, garden furniture will be installed, which will turn the open area into a cozy area for family dinners in the fresh air
2. Alpine slide
This element of landscape design traditionally rises above the site and when arranging an alpine hill, it is usually necessary to make an embankment. So why not use a natural slope, which will be an ideal location for such a “stone flowerbed”.
To create an alpine slide, flowers are used that feel good on rocky soil and slopes and strengthen the ground. This arrangement will allow you to emphasize the “rocky flowerbed”, highlighting it from the surrounding space
3. Terracing
Have you ever seen rice fields located on the slopes on separate steps? The same method can be used in the country. Experts advise creating three or four terraces in areas with a height difference of about three meters. For their arrangement, retaining walls made of concrete, reinforced mesh, stones or boards are used.
Each such terrace can have its own function - on one there will be beds with vegetables, on the second - shrubs, on the third - a flower bed. These will be clearly defined separate zones with their own boundaries, united, for example, by an inclined path, stone or wooden steps. Terracing is done across the slope.
The disadvantage of terracing is that the supporting walls themselves will take up a lot of space, leaving less land for flowerbeds and beds.
Experts advise building the outer side of each terrace with a slope towards the slope to ensure natural water drainage during rainstorms
Metal plates can also serve as retaining walls. In this case, professionals advise adding natural materials and elements, for example, large boulders, which will soften the coldness of the metal
Gabions can be used as a retaining wall on a sloped area
4. Stream and waterfall
If your site has a slope, this is an excellent opportunity to create an artificial stream or waterfall. To do this, you won’t have to build an embankment or worry about water drainage; everything will happen naturally. A water cascade can also decorate a retaining wall supporting one of the terraces.
The slope is already there, all that remains is to take care of the bed of the future stream and think about where exactly your future river will flow
A cascading stream on a slope, surrounded by lush juniper thickets, looks very natural, it seems created by nature itself
5. Vertical garden
On a site with a slope, the most noticeable part will, of course, be the top wall or fence. Its design should be given special attention, for example, creating a beautiful vertical garden.
Along the most prominent wall at the top of the site, you can place tall plants in flowerpots or pots. You can also use vertical gardening techniques on the wall itself. Climbing plants such as virgin grape, honeysuckle, common ivy or vici grape are ideal.
6. Observation deck with bench
A site with a slope usually does not offer places to relax - only terraces and paths with steps connecting them. Designate one terrace for a small recreation area - plant a tree there and place a bench in its shade. You will get a beautiful observation deck where it will be so pleasant to sit with a book or just admire your lush garden. Of course, to arrange the viewing area, it is better to choose one of the upper terraces to ensure a beautiful view.
Find a place on the site for a sofa swing or a regular bench and you will get an excellent relaxation corner with a view of the entire lower part of the site
7. Decorative garden
Even a plot with a strong slope is not a reason to give up growing herbs, spices and vegetables. True, you will have to take extra care about arranging the beds. High beds in special flowerpots are perfect.
This plot has a strong slope, but this did not stop the owners from arranging a vegetable garden, which looks attractive and will bring a good harvest.
In the tight space between two retaining walls In any case, the stone will leave enough space for cabbage and herbs
8. “Wild” slope
It is not at all necessary to put your site with a strong slope in perfect order. It is quite possible to leave it in its natural state, providing only a convenient descent and ascent in the form of steps or stairs. And on the sides of the path, let plants that do not require constant care grow, such as crocuses, botanical tulips, mint and lemon balm, bells, St. John's wort, and ajuga.
By the way, all ground cover plants perfectly strengthen the slopes. In addition, for this purpose, you can plant sea buckthorn, brooms, rose hips, lilacs, cotoneasters, Japanese quince - all these shrubs do not require special care and feel great on an inclined surface, holding the soil with their roots.
Who said that a plot on a slope must be decorated with regular flower beds with their clear boundaries and have a “sleek” civilized appearance? Are natural slopes with their wildflowers and shrubs any less attractive?
In conclusion, we note that landscape design experts are confident that it is easier to design a site with a slope when the house is located on a hill. However, if there is no other choice and the cottage had to be located at the very bottom of the slope, do not despair - many of our tips can be used for this location, which is considered the most unfavorable.
In general, many professionals are convinced that flat terrain is too boring, but a natural slope can be used “to the fullest,” turning it into an unusually beautiful place. Try it, perhaps after completion of the work you will also be convinced that they are right!
The terrace is a quiet, cozy place where you can find peace and inspiration. This is an open area on the same level with the ground or built on a hill. Here you can receive family and friends, drink tea or read an interesting book, and most importantly, contemplate the beauty of the garden. Even owners of small plots can afford this recreation area. The structure can be used for summer activities or arranged for recreation all year round.
True creative people can create it with their own hands, without much difficulty. To do this, you need to draw up a plan and transfer it to paper, in accordance with all technical requirements. It is important to fit a cozy corner into the overall concept of the house, because it is part of it. Important role The location of the terrace plays a role; dark and remote places are not suitable for this. The best option— entrance area of the main building. In places with a harsh climate, the terrace is placed on the south side to maximize the enjoyment of the sun. In warm countries, an open area is created on the north side, maintaining the much-desired coolness.
Types of terraces
In order to decide on the type of terrace for your site, you should take into account the natural topography, the location of important garden compositions and elements, the architecture of the house, and the general style of the landscape. Terracing differs as follows:
A rock garden is typically square, rectangular, round, irregularly shaped, or completely random.
For areas with slopes, the following types are suitable: terraces-ditches, ridge, stepped, trench.
Open area for summer recreation.
The glazed terrace is also used as a winter garden.
There are two main types of construction - closed and open. They are used for different purposes. In summer, the open area becomes the center of family leisure; in the cold season it is empty. This option is more suitable for countries with a temperate or warm climate. Closed terraces make it possible to create and maintain one temperature regime in any season. Gardeners use such a place for whimsical and heat-loving garden plantings. The winter garden will become one of the main decorations of landscape design.
Construction
All kinds of materials can be used to build extensions, in various forms. You can use the same building materials that were used to create the house. But this is optional. A little imagination bold ideas will not interfere, but will only emphasize the structure. Using other natural or artificial raw materials, you can emphasize the architecture and style of the terrace. The contrast between the main building and the additional one will not be amiss. Most often, a builder uses:
- tree;
- stone;
- brick;
- plastic;
- plexiglass;
- metal structures.
The design can be made of one material or a combination of several. This will emphasize originality, exclusivity and give the structure additional stability, while maintaining decorativeness. Do not forget about safety conditions and construction rules. Supporting structures must be reliable, stable and firmly anchored. A free-standing extension must be further strengthened to support its own weight. For this, metal plates or cement are used.
Modern designers offer a new solution that significantly saves free space - a monsard. This design consists of two tiers and is a more spacious option. Its construction should be entrusted to professionals. To comply with all safety and reliability conditions.
Construction begins with choosing a location. If the structure is adjacent to a building, then its technical condition should be assessed. A building in need of repair should definitely be restored first, and then a platform should be erected. Its architectural direction should not differ radically from appearance home and general stylistic concept. The extension should not spoil the landscape design. The structure can be flat, pitched or straight.
For the roof of the terrace, it is recommended to use the same material as on the roof of the house. The extension is decorated with steps, railings, columns, unusual pieces of furniture and interior design. Color range For interior decoration, warm colors should be used, creating a cozy atmosphere and good mood.
Combination with plants and interior items
When creating a terrace on your site, you want it to become that corner where it is beautiful, quiet and calm. Garden plantings play an important role in creating the microclimate and atmosphere. When choosing them, you should give preference to persistent and shade-tolerant crops. They grow and develop well in tight spaces without an abundance of sunlight. Annual plants are often selected for the base. They are placed in a container, creating bright and interesting images, combining several types or monotype. The extension also has space for perennials. These are traditional coniferous and flowering shrubs. Of these, choose dwarf or low-growing varieties. They are planted in tubs, barrels, and large flowerpots. The soil is mulched with multi-colored sawdust.
In the warm season, open areas are decorated with a large number of bright flowering garden plants. For them, additional architectural elements are created in the form of a pergola, hedge or frame for weaving varieties of flora. The phyto wall is popular. Gardeners select containers for it with special care. These can be flowerpots made of ceramics, clay, wood, or plastic. Patterns and colors are selected taking into account the surrounding atmosphere and design. Refined is highly valued handmade, rough garden pots will not work.
In addition to representatives of the flora, the terrace and the area around it are decorated with animal figures and small sculptures. A common element of creativity is the use of improvised means (old shoes, furniture, musical instruments) for unusual purposes - planting flowers and plants in them. Cute and unusual products will immediately become the highlight of the design and will certainly attract the attention of guests.
Interior items are selected taking into account the type of extension - open or closed type. For the summer version of the site, the most suitable variation is wooden or plastic wicker. Precipitation and high air temperatures will not affect technical qualities, and service life. A comfortable rocking chair made from natural materials will be a beautiful and practical element.
For a closed terrace, you can choose any furniture to suit your taste and financial capabilities. This can be upholstered furniture with many bright colored pillows, a large table and a fireplace will complement the ensemble. If the terrace is completely glazed and plays the role of a winter garden with many plants, then the furniture should be in a lighter style. Suitable chairs in the Provence style, several coffee tables, light curtains from natural material. Following a certain style in the design of the extension will help turn this corner into a full-fledged room.
Video - dividing the garden into terraces
At all times, people have strived to cultivate and improve land plots, and this led to the emergence of terracing. If you are the lucky owner country house or have a private house, in which you live, and you have your own piece of land, then, most likely, you want to improve it. Terracing a site with your own hands is quite a labor-intensive task. In addition to a great desire, you need to have skillful hands, tools, and a lot of patience. Our article is aimed at enabling you to become familiar with the principles of terracing and its basics. You will also receive proper recommendations and interesting ideas.
Terracing a site with a slope
Any owner of a house with a plot in the private sector dreams of a flat terrain, but in most cases we are faced with natural unevenness and slopes. In order for such a relief to become your advantage, you can terracing the area, which consists of creating wide covered areas where it will be convenient for the whole family or friends to spend time on a hill. Artificially created steps and areas look impeccable; they can be located simply along the slopes or decorate the approaches to reservoirs and areas with vineyards. Properly made terraces will become a feature, not a disadvantage, of your site. Along the edges of the platforms and steps you can plant fruit trees or just ornamental plants. If the slope is large, the ideal solution would be to create several areas. If it is not so steep and high, then it is quite possible to create one terrace. In any case, you will only benefit by improving your territory.
Principles of creating terraces
Terracing of a site is the creation of a land mass, which consists of a canvas, embankment and excavation slopes (vertical or inclined), berms - untouched parts of the slope located between the terraces.
Many people create terraces in steps, where the excavated lower slope becomes a fill for the upper one. Terrace areas must be fenced with rollers to protect them from soil erosion. Terracing the site allows you to increase usable space and improve the functionality of the soil.
To create a striking design, you need to use a variety of supports and ladders, so first assess the ground conditions and type of terrain.
Analysis of the surface and quality of the soil is carried out using visual surveys, and it is necessary to visualize the terracing. Once you have an idea of what your site will look like, take measurements to determine how many terraces you can create. Consider every little detail, including the size of the supports.
Why do you need an analysis of the state of the relief?
Terraces can be up to six meters wide, and the height can reach eighty centimeters. After analyzing the terrain and soil, you can:
- Assess the functionality of the territory.
- Create a vertical layout according to all the rules.
- Create the ideal composition of platforms and stairs.
- Choose suitable plants to decorate your terraces.
Once you have assessed all the parameters and come up with a design, it will be easier to create a work plan.
Layout plan, vertical layout and dimensional reference
Vertical planning is the artificial change in terrain to create terraces. These activities include adding soil or cutting it off. Terracing summer cottage This method means that the terrain must be divided into separate fragments that will meet the rules of marking.
If you plan to create such complex objects as a pond, rock garden, alpine slides, flower beds and mixborders, then you will need to create a layout plan that needs to be drawn to an approximate scale.
Stages
“How to terracing a site on your own?” - many owners of land plots are interested. To create a magical land on your own territory, you should stick to the basic plan. So, what stages will precede the appearance of terraces in your garden?
- Creating a marking of the treated area. It must be fenced by pulling threads onto driven pegs.
- You need to add soil at the bottom and cut off at the top. This will reduce the angle of the platform.
- Creation of drainage systems and, if necessary, laying pipes for water supply.
- Concrete preparation of steps and retaining wall.
- Installation of waterfalls, slides and mixborders.
- Decorating steps and retaining walls with cladding.
- Paving paths and paths with tiles or stones.
- Preparing sites for planting plants.
- Installation and placement of architectural elements.
- Planting plants, filling reservoirs.
First peg
In order for the terraces to have a clear horizontal line, it is necessary to create conventional horizontal lines, which are cultivated using pegs and ropes. First, a peg is driven into the slope, then the area is divided into segments equal to one and a half width of the terrace being created. Subsequent points for driving in pegs are located using a level. This will form the first horizontal line, followed by the rest. After this, you can begin adding bedding to create level areas. It is recommended to create them not strictly horizontal, but with a slight slope so that rainwater can drain from them without forming a puddle. It is necessary to strengthen the bedding with retaining walls.
Retaining walls
It is necessary to prepare a wooden container, lay turf in it, and secure it with pegs on top. After this, large stones are laid out, followed by smaller ones. Next you need to attach a fine, strong mesh. After this, apply the mortar and decorate the wall with bricks, stones or tiles.
If the slope is too steep and high, specialist calculations and concreting are required. The same walls must be created as a foundation.
Strengthening walls
To strengthen straight walls, buttresses or pilasters are used, which, among other things, can serve as steps or ramps.
The construction of supporting walls is possible using concrete, stone, brick, wood or gabion with different fillers.
Conclusion
In this simple way, you can create beautiful decorations on your site that will decorate and add comfort. In reality, everything may be more complicated than it seems after reading the article, but it’s definitely worth it!
fully understands what road he will have to take. And it will be - this expensive, uneven and difficult one, but it’s worth going through it to the end to become the owner own home dreams.
Site planning is the most difficult and least noticeable part of the work, but it plays a major role in all subsequent work related to construction and landscaping.
A professional and high-quality layout turns the site into a comfortable and functional one, highlighting the natural beauty of the existing or newly created terrain. The need for leveling and terracing arises if the site or some part of it has a significant difference in height.
In order to functionally use the spaces of the entire site, it makes sense to create a system of terraces that will divide it into levels, or to strengthen an existing slope, emphasizing the natural topography.
Retaining walls used for terracing slopes are subject to considerable loads from the pressure of bulk soil, ground and surface water, and temperature differences in the summer-winter period. That is why retaining walls are best built from monolithic concrete with facing material corresponding to the design style of the site, see fig. 4. 5.
Before planting a garden, the area of the site must be rationally designed. By design we mean not only leveling the surface but also creating artificial slides and depressions. A flat surface is needed only for recreation areas, vegetable beds and lawns.
Fig.4. Dry masonry retaining wall
Hills and ridges divide the site into zones. You can arrange rock gardens on them, plant flowers and bushes.
Rice. 5. Retaining wall on cement mortar. It is more durable than a dry retaining wall, but at the same time it is more labor-intensive and its construction requires greater expenses. When using stone material for construction, as well as when constructing dry retaining walls, it is necessary to look for specimens with at least two parallel planes perpendicular to each other. Every change in the surface of the site leads to a decrease or increase in soil depth. sometimes the disturbance in the soil is so great that the parent rock is exposed. Plants planted in such places suffer and die. Therefore, when the surface is lowered, you first need to remove the soil and place it next to the hole. After reaching the desired depth, the soil is placed in its original place. Thanks to this, the fertility of the site does not decrease. Good structured soil should always be used to level out depressions and uneven areas. If various debris was used to fill deep holes, then the top of the hole must be covered with a layer of earth in which the planted plants can grow and develop well.
Fig.1. Bulk terrace When leveling an area with a slope of 5 - 10 degrees, the depression is filled in this way: first, thin branches are laid at the bottom of the depression in a layer of 0.1 0 0.2 m, they can be mineral fertilizers, ground limestone, easily decomposed waste (leaves, paper, ash, remains of vegetables and fruits, plaster left after building a house), fertile soil is laid on top in a layer of 0.2 m. The thickness of the layers depends on the depth of the depression. Plants with a strong root system are planted in such a place only in the second year after completion of work.
Terracing is used to increase soil thickness, reduce washout by rainwater and improve working conditions on slopes. There are three main types of terraces: bulk, leveled, raised (Fig. 1.2.3).
Fig.2. Leveled terrace Bulk usually very satisfying steep slopes with shallow soil. They often join group or individual houses built on slopes. Between walls more than 1 m high and on a foundation 0.5 m deep, a thick layer of anthropogenic earth is poured. Relatively narrow terraces are 2 - 3 m wide. They are most often made of concrete or stone and bonded with lime or cement mortars. There should be drainage holes in the walls.
Fig.3. Raised terrace Leveled terraces are built on slightly steep slopes. The terrace canvas, 3 to 5 m wide, is located between dry stone walls, which are made of stones packed tightly together, and the cracks are filled with clay. Stone blocks should be 200 - 300 mm high and 200 - 400 mm wide. Large stones should be used in the construction of a foundation, which, with a wall height of 0.5 m, should have a depth of 0.15 m, and with a height of 0.5 1 m, a depth of 0.2 - 0.4 m. Dry stone walls with a height of more than 1 m should not be made. The width of the walls at the base should be 0.4 m, at the top - 0.2 m. The stability of the walls is ensured by slopes. For every meter of height, you should retreat from the vertical by 0.2 m.
The walls of leveled terraces can be built from concrete or soil sown with grass seeds. The soil surface between the walls is leveled, shifting the soil from the top of the terrace to the bottom. The remaining soil or exposed subsoil on the top of the terrace needs to be dug up and enriched with humus. If the terrace area is large, the soil can be improved locally in the areas where individual trees are planted.
Elevated terraces are most often created during planting fruit trees. At the same time, by raising the surface, a small slope is leveled and at the same time more space is created for the roots of fruit trees. The walls of the terrace should be low and sloping. The height of the terrace should not exceed 0.8 m. The slope of the terrace wall should be from 30 to 40 degrees. Such walls are most often sown with herbs. To level the surface of the terrace, add soil or a mixture of soil and organic residues. The top layer of the terrace should always be composed of structural1 and humus soil. On large slopes between terraces, steps and concrete or stone drainage furrows should be built. If you use the slope extensively in the garden, you can plant bushes (thorns, walnuts, roses, lilacs) on it, which with their roots will protect the soil from erosion.
Planning is not limited to just leveling the surface of the site. The site may have different relief features: a ravine, a slope, a hill, small hillocks, a slope, and in addition, low places, holes, which can become a real decoration. If the site is monotonous, flat, with the help of terracing and planning, it can be completely transformed by creating artificial reservoirs, slopes, slopes and hills. Having completed the work associated with terracing and leveling the site, as well as completing the construction of the house, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the multi-level, harmonious topography of your garden.