I think i would try to even out the slope by building a level flower bed in front of your new patio with a path behind to access the old patio area/yellow ’green house’. Then a low wall/step to abut the first raised level sleeper bed for growing veg etc.

You could have a seating area in between the second sleeper raised bed. Hopefully this will achieve a near level area

A lawn might be the easiest to maintain with regular treatments for weed control and i would cut back any hedging and overhang on your left boundary

Or just one raised sleeper planter creating the wall

Thanks so much for the ideas. I think retaining walls are out of scope. I think raised flower beds sounds good. I was thinking flower bed on the stairs as you come up on the left and the raised flower bed you have on your diagram. I probably can't ask them to do more than that for now but love your plan - might see if I have budget for that in the longer term.

I'm wondering what to tell the builders to do to enable that? Is it with timber?

I was picturing rendered walls near the patio planter and timber retaining wall for the

raised growing bed/retaining wall next to the path, but timber sleepers for both might be quicker ….and cheaper.

In some photos the patio planter doesnt look like it will be too deep so maybe doesnt need a wall?

Thanks so much for the ideas!

First thing I would do would be to get a proper survey done of the site so you know what levels you are playing with. It is far to easy to make a mistake on a slope and have a large drop or to steep a lawn when you have finished.

Get everything planned out first so you are happy with the spaces, also make a list of what you require or dream of in your garden.

A sloping garden puts most people off, but it can be a beautiful area if planned right and give years of enjoyment.

Don't just rush into putting up walls, as if this is wrong at this stage it may become a money pit changing things or putting things right.

I would look at investing in a professional garden designer to come and listewn to what you want. Even if you can't afford the build all at once, at least you have a plan to work to and you can build it as budget allows, and when it's finished it will flow and work as you want it.

Good luck with an exciting project.

Ian