Few things are more frustrating than a messy front yard. In addition to disrupting your curb appeal, overgrown, messy landscaping can also harbor pests and make it look like you don't care about your property. Fortunately, tidying up your yard doesn't have to be difficult. I have spent years learning more about landscaping, and this blog is all about how to become a landscaping enthusiast. Check out these articles about fun topics like planting flowers, perfecting pruned trees, and decorating your yard with whimsical additions. After you know more about landscaping, your yard might become the talk of the town.
A sloped yard generally presents a challenge, and with good reason. Depending on the severity of the slope, it can be difficult to walk on. Plus, water may erode the hillside without proper planting – and a slope can make watering plants difficult. The solution is to install a retaining wall, or, in this case, a series of retaining walls. A terraced garden is appropriate if you have a large yard, especially one with a 2:1 ratio, which the Landscaping Network describes as dropping one foot for every two horizontal feet. Use a series of beautiful terraces to solve your slope.
Settle on a Material
Terraced yards are popular in the hillsides of the Mediterranean, and these are typically constructed of stone. If you want a Mediterranean look to your garden, consider choosing smooth stones with a warm hue. For a more modern effect, concrete works well. Stacked stone looks rustic, while brick is more classical. Wood can work well with any design style. Whichever material you settle on, ensure it complements your house's façade.
Have the Walls Built
Technically, a retaining wall can be a do-it-yourself project. However, either an architect or an engineer needs to design the wall, depending on the severity of the slope. What's more, drainage will be an issue to consider.
The walls should be low and constructed in a pleasing series. You could have them built above one another like tiers on a cake. It's also possible to stagger the terraces. For instance, you could have a curved terrace built in front of the house with straight terraces up the slope to the side of the house.
Consider Wall Additions
With a terraced yard, you're not limited to just a series of plain walls. You can add on to the walls for functionality and beauty. One option is having seating built into one of the walls. This is useful if you have a beautiful view or if the wall is next to a patio. You can also have a fire feature, such as a fire wall or fireplace, built into the plan. Another option is a water feature for the pleasing sound of water music. In fact, you can add all three for a serene and cozy niche on one of your terraces.
Plan the Landscaping
The landscaping is where you can get creative. If you opted for the tiers of terraces, follow the "thriller, spiller, filler" rule of container gardening. That means each terrace should contain a showy plant, some that spill over the edge and plants for in between. For other types of terraces, consider making each one unique. For instance, plant an ornamental tree with a bench underneath on one terrace and an herb garden on another. Whatever the style, though, build in cohesive elements such as a set color palette or theme.
Talk to landscaping companies like Land Craft about how to use a terraced yard to highlight the beauty of your house and your hillside.
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