| A sloped yard can limit your landscaping options and | | | | 1. Spend extra time on the first course. The first |
| prove difficult to work with, but there are several | | | | step is to dig a supporting trench. The higher the wall, |
| ways to flatten or otherwise improve a steep lawn. | | | | the deeper the trench must be. For example, a |
| The most popular solutions include creating a series | | | | four-foot wall will require a two-foot-deep trench. |
| of terraces, building retaining walls, and planting | | | | After you lay in the first course, ensure your wall will |
| slope-inclined groundcovers or grasses. | | | | not buckle or wave by making sure it's level from |
| Here's a look at each option to help you decide which | | | | nearly all angles: front to back, top to bottom, and |
| might work best for your home: | | | | side to side. Once the first course is in, you can stack |
| Terracing | | | | up the rest of the wall like LEGOs. |
| If your yard has a moderate rise over a long | | | | 2. Allow for Drainage. You'll need to create a path for |
| distance (say, perhaps, a rise of 2.5 feet over a | | | | water to run away from your wall without seeping |
| stretch of 100 feet), you can use terraces to create | | | | through the stones. You can place gravel or other |
| a series of level garden beds. To build terraces with | | | | drainage aggregate behind your wall to permit proper |
| character, check with local salvage organizations for | | | | draining. Walls over three feet high should also include |
| reclaimed materials. Railroad ties, boulders, wall kits | | | | perforated drainpipes or toe drains along the first |
| and many other materials work for creating terraces | | | | aboveground course of bricks. Add landscaping fabric |
| (although you should avoid using railroad ties near | | | | between the wall and the fill-in soil to prevent muddy |
| edible plants). | | | | water from seeping through the face of your |
| Retaining Walls | | | | retaining wall. |
| Steep slopes and long expanses may require retaining | | | | Ground Covers and Grasses |
| walls to flatten them out. The main difference | | | | Gentler slopes can be stabilized with plants that have |
| between a retaining wall and a terrace is height; | | | | evolved to thrive on inclines. For shallower inclines, |
| professionals can create a retaining wall design for | | | | clumping plants such as ornamental grasses are a |
| you if your wall will stand more than 10 feet tall. | | | | good choice, as they have fibrous roots that help |
| However, do-it-yourselfers can generally handle up to | | | | hold soil in place. |
| four feet in height. | | | | Steeper slopes will require different plants, such as |
| Installing a retaining wall can involve hiring a | | | | ivies and honeysuckle. If possible, leave some turf |
| contractor, or you can put together your own | | | | around the new plantings to help hold them in place |
| interlocking wall kit. If you choose the do-it-yourself | | | | until they are established. |
| route, follow these construction precautions to | | | | With a little extra planning, your retaining wall, terrace |
| ensure the final wall is level and impervious to frost | | | | or groundcover will be in place in no time, and you'll |
| heave and other moisture threats: | | | | finally be able to use your yard as you wish. |