ᐅ Outdoor area on a sloped site adjacent to a neighbor – how to frame or border it?

Hello everyone,

we are currently working on the landscaping at the back of our house.
Our property is on a slope below the street. It goes quite steeply down to the neighbor’s property, and we’re a bit unsure about what to do with the edge at the top. The soil is quite firm clay, so sliding is probably not a concern. We also plan to plant ground cover on the slope itself.
Now the question is, what can we do at the edge overlooking the neighbor’s property? We want to plant a few trees there, but what would you suggest?
A wall? A fence? Metal sheets? Edging stones? Just leave it as is and let the grass grow?
We also have a child, so there is naturally some risk of falling.

Thanks in advance, pictures attached.
Best regards

I would plant ground cover on the slope and additionally secure it with erosion control mats. Otherwise, a heavy rainstorm in the next two years could cause the soil to slide. Especially since the flat area is quite compacted and cannot absorb much water. Even with us, water still remains in some spots after 1.5 years. Despite using sand, planting sunflowers in the first summer, and creating drainage grooves. Clay soil is simply not very permeable. Back in 2018, when everything was new, during a storm the water ran over the retaining wall like a waterfall.

I am not sure about the drainage on your property and whether anything else needs to be done.

You will have to decide about the fence. You know your child best. I would build without a fence and plant hedges and smaller trees along the boundary towards the neighbors. Possibly a bird-friendly hedge, which no one will pass through, even without a fence.

Thank you for your response. Ground cover plants are probably our choice; we are currently working on that. I also agree not to install a fence at the top. My husband is still considering it, we’ll see. I also find it nicer to work with shrubs and hedges.

Yes, the soil is really not very permeable to water. I need to ask the neighbors if they have had any issues there.

I believe that once everything has settled in, there won’t be any problems. During the severe storm in 2018, nothing came down over the old slope with the old retaining wall. The ground absorbed everything. The new installation turned into a waterfall. It will probably take a few years for the soil to become properly rooted and able to absorb the water effectively. Did the construction company that shaped the site say anything about this?

If not, put up a fence (happy homeowner) with greenery in front of it so the fence is no longer visible.

The construction company said: the landscaper has to handle that part, we’re done here ☹️ Well, we’ll manage somehow. I just think a fence is unnecessarily expensive if it’s not really needed.

We’ll see. Junior probably won’t fall down. And if he does, he’ll end up in the very kind neighbors’ garden.

Well, if it’s about simple securing, you could also consider installing a picket fence, for example. They look nice and are relatively cost-effective. That could be a possible alternative, and you can also plant nicely in front of it!