Steps connect different levels in the garden and act as retaining walls. They're also quite quick to build.

But remember to check regularly for timber rot! Choose construction-grade timbers such as radiata pine, blackbutt or turpentine.

Here's how:
1. You'll need to plan your steps carefully, and anchor them securely into the slope. Decide how many steps you need, the depth of each horizontal tread, and the height of each vertical riser. The tread dimension plus the riser dimension should equal about 430mm. Make sure all treads and risers will be exactly the same depth and height. Changes will break your stride and trip you up.

2. Use stakes and a level string or board to determine the total rise your steps will ascend and the total run they will traverse. To work out the number of steps you need, divide these measurements by various combinations of tread and riser sizes until you have equal-size steps.

3. Cut into the slope making room for the desired tread and riser dimensions. We used two 200mm x 200mm timbers with an overlap of 100mm (ie, a tread width of 300mm). Lay the timbers, pound them into place with a sledge and check the level.

4. Reinforcing rods hold the steps together and prevent movement. Use an electrician's extension bit to bore holes at the front edge of each timber into the one below. Pound in a rod to tie them together. Also bore horizontal holes and use a rod to secure each timber to the one behind it.

Source: Outdoor Structures (Murdoch Books)