Curving terraces on sloping ground

On an area of sloping ground where there is a small orchard we are building curving stone walls to form flat terraces.  As we build the new retaining wall, we will then infill behind it with tonnes of soil in order to form the new level and turn sloping ground into a flat garden area. Dry stone is the perfect way to do this as it is so free draining, there is no mortar or concrete to stop the drainage of water. In order to hold such a large amount of soil, the wall is very thick and has a considerable backing of large stones.

Soil is being riddled and brought in slowly via tractor allowing us to build up courses of the retaining wall as soil is filled in behind it which helps to stabilise the wall. We will also have to move some small fruit trees and bushes as the dormant season approaches; often in landscaping there will be some temporary disruption in order to do something new.

curving stone orchard terrace

soil filled in behind stone terrace wall