terraced garden
 

We have a slope in our back garden that we want to terrace. The rise
is a little over 8 ft, and the run is 20 feet. We're thinking 4
terraces, each about 5 feet wide, with walls about 3 ft to 3 ft 6.

First, what do you suggest to maintain overall stability? And how
about drainage? We get quite a bit of rain, but currently erosion is a
problem (hope terracing will help that!)

Second, do we need building permits to change the landscaping in our
own back yard? And if we don't get permits, what might happen??

Thanks! :-)

terraced garden
 

wrote:

We have a slope in our back garden that we want to terrace. The rise
is a little over 8 ft, and the run is 20 feet. We're thinking 4
terraces, each about 5 feet wide, with walls about 3 ft to 3 ft 6.

My math says 3 will do it.


First, what do you suggest to maintain overall stability?

I like these-
http://versa-lock.com/

My wall is about 3' high & 25' long- hasn't moved a hair in 5 NY
winters. It is serpentine & I think that adds to both appeal and
strength.

And how
about drainage? We get quite a bit of rain, but currently erosion is a
problem (hope terracing will help that!)

My wall started with a ditch twice the width of the wall & 8"(?) deep.
Tamp. . . tamp. . . tamp. . . lay the first course. Laid a 4"
flexible perf-pipe in a sock behind that-- and carried on to the next
course. Once the wall was done I backfilled with a bit of #2 stone
protected with landscape cloth. BTW- 1/2 of the first course is
below grade. The low side is a paver patio.


Second, do we need building permits to change the landscaping in our
own back yard? And if we don't get permits, what might happen??

That depends entirely on where you live- and who your neighbors are.
*Probably* you can do a 3' wall without a permit. [If it was me, and
I was confident of my ability to engineer the thing- I'd do a 3 foot
wall. Then another. . . ] OTOH- a call to the building dept. is
free and you might get some valuable insight.

What happens if you act without a necessary permit & get caught?
anything from make an apology and buy the permit- to tear it out and
pay a fine.

Jim

terraced garden
 

terraced garden
 

Thanks for your replies!!

My wall is about 3' high & 25' long- hasn't moved a hair in 5 NY
winters. * It is serpentine & I think that adds to both appeal and
strength.

Jim, that's good to know! I like the idea of serpentine walls too. I'm
concerned, though, that building one wall above another will create
additional issues over and above the construction of one wall--what do
you think?

Norminn, the slope is away from the house and will stay that way. we
have a flood plain easement on our land and in fact the neighbors'
gardens drain into that so, I don't think it will be a problem. Also
we're thinking of putting in a pipe from the lowest terrace to
encourage water down to that area. What sort of plants did you use to
control erosion? And how quickly do they establish a root system
sufficient to have some effect?

terraced garden
 

terraced garden
 

On Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:09:06 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

Thanks for your replies!!

My wall is about 3' high & 25' long- hasn't moved a hair in 5 NY
winters. * It is serpentine & I think that adds to both appeal and
strength.

Jim, that's good to know! I like the idea of serpentine walls too. I'm
concerned, though, that building one wall above another will create
additional issues over and above the construction of one wall--what do
you think?

In my part of the world- and in my yard- it wouldn't be a problem. I'd
be more concerned if I lived across the street on a big clay hill- or
in some place that gets a lot more rain than we do.

But that's where your local landscape guy, the building inspector, or
the nursery & county extension folks that Norminn mentioned might be
able to help.

Jim