Terracing

Terracing makes gardening possible on slopes.

In your Backyard

Terraces can break your backyard into several mini gardens. On steep slopes, terracing can make planting a garden feasible. Terraces prevent erosion by shortening the long slope into a series of shorter, more level steps. This allows heavy rains to soak in, rather than run off and cause soil erosion.

Materials for terraces

Building terraces is like building a staircase. The material you use to make the face of the stair may be bricks, rocks, concrete blocks, or similar materials.

Height of walls

The steepness of the slope often dictates wall height. Make the terraces in your yard high enough so the land area between them is fairly level. Be sure the terrace material is strong enough and anchored well enough to stay in place through heavy rains. Large projects, such as retaining walls, may require a professional design and specialized assistance and equipment. Be sure to check local building codes regarding the installation of high walls and it is good practice to work safely.

Consider erosion control

Heavy rains can cause erosion between terraces, and create small gullies if water concentrates as it goes over a terrace. To help prevent erosion, add mulch or other good ground cover on land between terraces.

Source: "Hawaii Backyard Conservation" (PDF), The U.S. Department of Agriculture.