How to Landscape a Steep Yard Without Terraces

If you are living in a house with a steep yard, you may be looking for landscaping options. Although terraces are attractive and increase the growing space in your garden, there are other options for gardening on the side of a hill. You can find an option that appeals to you and is suited to your energy level and budget.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gardening tools
• Grass or perennial bedding plants
• Groundcovers (juniper, periwinkle, cotoneaster, potentilla or partridge berry)
• Landscaping fabric
• Rocks and mortar

1. Plant perennials and grasses in alternating beds that run across the hill. Make the beds wide enough to mow or to give yourself room to work, between 4- and 5-feet wide. As they mature, these plants will prevent erosion and add beauty to your steep yard.

2. Try groundcovers. Many groundcovers are available that can take the place of grass and never need to be mowed. Groundcover plants that can be used to beautify your steep landscape are available for every climate and rainfall zone.

3. Build a dry creek bed. Dig a meandering path down your hill, approximately twice as wide as it is deep. Line it with landscape fabric, cover with rocks mortared into place and add a few plants for color.

4. Cut down the slope. If cost is not a problem, hire an experienced contractor to grade your steep garden. An experienced landscaping professional will be able to reduce the slope to a manageable hill that you can easily landscape.