The steeply sloping garden

A sloping site in a Cheshire market town has truly met its match in determined gardeners David and Melita Turner, who took on the challange, says Sue Bradley

- Sue Bradley

A PASSION for gardening stretching over several decades has found its ultimate expression in the steeply sloping site behind David and Melita Turner’s bungalow in Cheshire.

Indeed, the prospect of transforming the challenging space surrounding the couple’s 1930s property proved a deal clincher when the couple were looking to move house just over a decade ago.

“When we looked around, I got more excited about the garden than the property itself!” laughs Melita. “I saw it was on a slope and felt it was different.”

Once they’d settled into their home in the market town of Bollington, Melita put pen to paper to come up with a plan for taming the slope, sketching two tiers around the front of the bungalow and a further four around the back. A flight of shallow steps stretches from the patio adjoining the couple’s conservatory to a paved terrace on the highest level, part of which spans a garage.

Inappropriate rockery

“Previously, the back garden had contained a pond and waterfall that leaked into the neighbour’s lawn, an inappropriately positioned rockery and some steps leading to the garage,” explains Melita.