A sloped landscape provides numerous challenges. However, when there’s a challenge, there’s also an opportunity. Read on to know about some helpful ideas – ideas on how you can make the most of a sloped landscape using various landscaping supplies.

Natural steps

Steps or stairs are features you must add when you’re landscaping on a slope. They will make it easy for you and others to traverse from bottom to top and vice versa.

When deciding on the materials, you can choose from either manufactured or natural materials. We recommend opting for the latter, as natural stair materials provide the following benefits:

• Durability
• Timeless quality
• Easier to maintain than artificial materials
• Adds to property value

It is recommended to consider the following natural stone types for creating steps:

• Granite slabs: Both durable and versatile, granite slabs are commonly used for steps and walkways. What’s more? You can also use them for countertops and indoor fireplaces.
• Jumbo flagstone (3” – 4”): You can use these slabs to create stepping stones. These stones can also be used to create beautiful waterfall features.

Retaining walls

Retaining walls are structures whose construction and design offer resistance against the soil’s lateral pressure. These structures come in handy when the preferred ground elevation is more than the soil’s angle of repose. Additionally, retaining walls provide lateral support to the soil, which allows different levels to be maintained on both sides.

There are several types of retaining walls. Popular options include natural stone, stone veneer, and a mix of natural stone types such as:

• Brown armour stone: Brown armour stone is one of the most durable materials for retaining walls. It offers resistance against erosion and general wear. Apart from its use in building large retaining walls, the stone is also popular for creating raised garden beds and eye-catching accent pieces.
• Orillia armour stone: This light grey coloured armour stone offers the same benefits as brown armour stone.
• Skidded armour stone: For smaller retaining walls, it’s better to choose this option than the previous ones. They are easy to work with and are available in a wide range of sizes and colours as well.
• Skidded buckhorn armour stone: There’s nothing better than this premium-grade armour stone for building small garden walls. They can be stacked easily, and their pieces are either sawn cut or guillotine.
• Guillotined drywall: This drywall stone is a popular choice for building steps and retaining walls. It can also be used for decorative and aesthetic purposes in outdoor spaces.

Multi-tiered landscape

Multi-tiered or multi-level landscaping involves building vertically for incorporating multiple design elements. This landscaping technique offers the following benefits:

• Enhances visual appeal
• It can be used to create various seating areas
• Provides opportunities to plant flowers, shrubs, and trees
• Adds to the functional aspect of outdoor areas
• Prevents erosion and runoff

A great example of multi-tiered landscaping is one level for outdoor cooking and dining and another for lounging. The levels can be enhanced with additional features as well. For instance, you could incorporate a hot tub or a fire pit into the lounge level or go for elaborate landscape lighting.

The challenges presented by a sloped landscape can be easily overcome if you think positively and be creative. So, happy landscaping!