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Make 2 split level garden into 1 level

NcastleNcastle Posts: 14
edited December 2020 in Problem solving

I have 2 split levels. Can see from picture bricked part is about a foot higher than patio/house. Ideally I want all garden at 1 level (toddler, personal preference, gives feeling of too small garden). Patio part cannot be raised as already minimum required depth from house/foundation.

House garden on left is about a foot higher than mine. House garden on right 8-9 inches lower than mine. Back side, small no-man’s land between my garden and school, is at same level as garden.

What could be solution. Dig garden down 1 foot down? Water drain issues? How big is this project, can I do it myself to save cost? I am good with DIY, gardening, planting.

 Left n right planting areas also would also need to dig down at same time? Have small fruit trees and good plants panted.

 Thank you.

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  • WibbleWibble Posts: 89
    If the lower section can’t be raised, then digging down the higher part is the only way to level it. It would be a hell of a job to do by hand- a few inches would be hard going but feasible if you have the right tools (decent crowbar/jemmy to break up the slabs/brick bits etc as well as a sharp spade). And a skip - I dug about 3” off the surface of a similar size area earlier this year and the spoil filled 2 builders bags.

    If you want it all level, then yes you would need to dig out the planted areas too. Though possibly you could build a retaining wall to keep the height at the edges, but I can’t see this being workable with everything in situ, not to the depth you need.

    However, I really can’t see any of this being straightforward  - a foot is a fair bit to dig down and you’ll probably encounter tree roots, large stones, building spoil etc going to that depth, especially with so many trees in the vicinity. You may also get drainage issues depending on where the water table is.  You would almost certainly need to go deeper than level with the lower bit, to allow you to add some decent topsoil back in. That could be getting pretty close to underground infrastructure - I wouldn’t be comfortable going that depth myself without a very clear idea of where things are.

    Would creating a slope to connect the 2 levels be an option, instead of the steps and small wall currently there? 


  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    Looking at the picture you have approximately 9mt wide by 6mt long by .3mt deep which equates to 16 cubic metres of soil to move. Thing is as you can't pack the soil down the same into a skip this will fill the equivalent of 24-32 cubic metres of skips (I'm a small builder and always double the calculated area for skip usage). That is some level of manual labour to undertake and if it's a modern build you are very likely to find some really horrible soil and rubble at that level. 

    Have you considered removing the rear fence to steal the rear hedge aspect view ? I have seen this done where a thick hedge line maintains privacy but makes a garden feel much bigger with a softer looking boundary.
  • NcastleNcastle Posts: 14
    edited December 2020

    Thanks Gents for the answers  I was afraid of it, as I understand, it seems a lot of work and could cost a lot of money if done by some company. I am thinking to leave it then as it is and just get grass for middle circular area.

    Wilderbeast a great idea with soft see through boundary, Thanks :)  In summer won’t be issue. Don’t know how school will react as in winter can be all seen through.  Will def look into this.

    Wife was already saying putting large mirrors at rear fence to making feeling of space  :)


  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457
    I think the garden is lovely as is, the design is good and I can see some lovely plants.  Turfing the circular area will look great and "borrowing" the landscape behind is definitely something I'd do then build up your bottom border with stuff like colourful dogwoods as medium fillers to bridge the gap between your nice small shrubs and the hedge (I'd plant ON the fenceline).  Do show us again when you are done.
  • NcastleNcastle Posts: 14
    Thanks Cloggie. I am keen new Gardner :p All tips are welcome to create a dream in a garden.

    Ideally i would have bought a bit out of city with larger plot. my other half wanted to live in husstle and busstle. I am making it work with small plot now.  Lower part is good size about 4m patio and mix of middle planting area.
  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457
    I see you have side fences that look ripe for climbers.  If you let us know the way they face, we might have ideas for suitable plants that would be happy there.  

    The idea being that you bury the fence under foliage/flowers and when you look out you can't tell where your boundaries are.  Making it appear bigger.
  • NcastleNcastle Posts: 14
    edited December 2020
    Thank you :)  Mentioned in picture all directions based on compass. So right side is South facing. I am trying to bring more red color as i like. Just bought a red robin tree shape. I m not huge fan of climbers which grow crazy. when i moved in it had ivy plant (bad expereince) it wasgrown all over that had ruined whole garden, roots were everywhere. Left side fence was gone/eaten by ivy was left to see. It took me (myself) long to clean. it got new fence now. Thank you.
  • Ferdinand2000Ferdinand2000 Posts: 537
    Perhaps consider reprofiling that path into a gentle ramp.

    That should not be too diifficult.
    “Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    Agreed @Ferdinand2000 terracing can look good but equally I find that it can make spaces look squashed in 
  • NcastleNcastle Posts: 14
    edited December 2020

    @Ferdinand2000 Thank you.  hope this makes give feeling of big and easy to lead into garden. i will def do that.
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