Any ideas for making garden safe - 2 foot drop from lawn to patio

[RunningKatie]

This was one of the reasons I wasn't keen on our house and I really want to tackle it before the summer arrives.

We have a split lawn but essentially both parts are raised and are approximately 2 feet higher than the patio. The walls are made of brick and are not immediately obvious to a toddler racing around as they are level with the grass (if that makes sense?!).

I can't decide whether we should put a small fence around the lawns or try to put some sort of cushioned playground-type surface down on the paths & patios.

We have a patio which then drops 3ft onto lawn. We have just put a picket fence around the patio to prevent anyone falling off. Was much cheaper than handrails, looks nice and because it's picket fencing it doesn't completely block it off, the light still goes through IYSWIM.

Our garden goes - patio, then 7ft of steps to lawn. Next to the steps is a 3ft wall and a bank up to the lawn. So, from the lawn you could trip and go down the bank or steps and right down the hill.

We put big wooden planters along the edge, a bit like this but not as expensive. Can't find a link, in any case they are about 14 years old now. They have small shrubs in.

Thought we were set, then found that our toddler DD like to run straight for the stairs so we put an l-shaped trellis fence at the top of the stairs so that she couldn't run or trip from the lawn straight down the stairs.

Works well, no-one dead yet.

Might be this - if so they've gone up in 14 years or I've blanked out how much they cost.

the cushioned play ground surface is completely over the top as the toddler period will be over in the blink of an eye. we used planters too for small 2 foot drops like you describe. we also have major 12 foot drops and use secure fencing.

My next door neighbour has put a picket fence around his as we've the same problem here with our back gardens. They've got a play house on the grass and it looks really nice with the fence around it. Even got a little gate as well.

You can get big padded foam things that slot together like a jigsaw, so that might be worth a look. They're not expensive.

Like these

Not OTT at all, and they're very useful on a concrete patio

Two foot isn't a huge drop - you need a deterent rather than a life saving fence I think! What about just sacrificing about 18 inches along the edge of the lawn to flower beds? Tall grasses would work well among any small shrub about 30cm height. This should be enough to keep small people from falling over the edge but look more attractive than fencing.

Large guage 2ft high Chicken wire, stapled to a split post every 6 to 8 ft with a stiffening wire at the top. Fairly cheap and quick to put up and very quick to take down after two years when a 2 ft drop is not an issue.

I'd also consider planting behind it so that when it comes down visitors are more aware of the drop.

Planting?

Thank you all, some great suggestions.

I started planting last year and am scrounging shrubs from nearest and dearest wherever possible.

I love the idea of planters NotGoodNotBad - but wowsers at the price!

It's going to be the perfect garden in about 5 years for relaxing in as long as the DCs don't throw themselves off the wall in the meantime! :)

I know this sounds odd but we have a slide from one level to the other. That's sort of taken the worry out a bit and they've alo got a fun way to get down.