Terrace Gardening

If you have a slope or incline on your property, you can turn it into a lovely garden oasis. Instead of a weedy eyesore, the slope could be a lovely flower garden. Or you could replace the weeds with a vegetable garden. The slope can become a lovely planted area despite the rugged terrain, turning a liability into an asset.

Change From Slope To Terraces

Putting terraces on a slope can really beautify the landscape. Besides that, it gives more options for planting since there are level areas to work with. The garden area is much easier to work in since it's level. Making terraces is unquestionably a lot of work, however, and can be expensive depending on the materials used.

In the past, railroad ties were considered a good source of material for making retaining walls for terraces. However, they've fallen out of favor these days, and especially aren’t recommended for organic gardens. Creosote used to preserve the wood is the problem. Contact with creosote can irritate the skin because it's a toxic substance. Inhaling fumes from creosote can irritate the respiratory tract.

All in all, it's potent stuff, and not good for your health. Besides direct contact, it can leach into the soil and water. Plants absorb nutrients from the soil, and if creosote is in the soil, they can absorb that also. If it's vegetable plants, then you eat whatever they've absorbed. It all means creosote treated lumber for your terracing isn’t a good idea.

Safe Wall Material Options

Small projects that are just little slopes might be able to use the new landscaping boards such as those found at Gardens Alive! which are made out of recycled plastics. Use bricks, concrete blocks, modular retaining wall blocks or stone for steeper slopes. These masonry options require varying levels of expertise, so be sure you know how to build walls with the materials you opt to use.

Since terracing makes level beds, the height of the walls will be dictated by the steepness of the slope. The higher walls, the better they should be anchored. They obviously should also be much sturdier. It's especially important large terraces are anchored well into the slope at each end. They also need proper drainage.

There will be a lot of weight pushing on the walls from all the soil behind them, and there will be even more after a rain. If wall are not built correctly, they will bow outwards or even collapse.

This is a big task, so if building your own terraces seems like too much to do own your own, there are landscaping contractors that can do the work for you. There would be more expense, of course, since you’ll not only have to pay for the materials, but their labor as well.

Get The Soil In Shape For Plants.

Because of erosion, slopes often have poor soil so it’s a good idea to enrich the soil before planting. Some compost, rich loam, well-rotted cow manure, peat or other soil amendments can be worked into the soil will make it a better growing medium. Keep in mind, however, that some plants like a poor soil, and if you’re growing that type, you won’t need to enrich the soil.

Once the soil is ready, choose your plants, whether flowers or vegetables (DirectGardening.com - Offers quality plants at great prices). Vining plants work well along the top edge of the walls, since the vines can trail down over the sides.

Improve Your Property With Terraces.

Creating terraces on a slope is a lot of work, and in some cases a lot of expense, but it’s a great way to eradicate an eyesore, improve your land, and provide another place for an organic garden full of flowers or vegetables.

And you can always use more planting space.