How to Design Sloped Landscaping

Take a totally flat yard and give it some depth, character and movement. This can be done by creating a sloped area in your landscape. A slope can actually be designed for a flat yard and, when finished, look as if it has always been there. With a little planning and some work, you can design an attractive landscape for your yard. It is not as difficult as it may sound.

Rocks, bricks, or treated lumber for retaining wall

Landscaping fabric

Compost

Coarse sand (optional)

Plants, your choice

Determine the area in which you wish to build your slope. A man-made slope usually looks better at the edge of your property, since it can be made to look as if it slopes naturally down from your neighbor's yard. It can also act to divide your property from your neighbor's. However, you can also design a sloped landscape on a side of your house or other structure, such as a potting shed.

Build a retaining wall around the designated area, using any type of material that fits with your design, such as natural stone, bricks, or even treated lumber. The back edge of the area will be taller than the front. The height will depend upon how steep and long a slope you want. The steeper and longer the slope, the higher the back wall. Complete the sides of your retaining wall by gradually making the wall shorter as you construct the sides until you reach the lowest point in the front of the area. If you are starting the back of your slope at the side of your house, you will not, of course, need to build a back wall. In this case, have the beginning of the side walls coming from your house as the highest point of your slope.

Cover the area with landscaping fabric and fill with compost. Be sure to use the compost to create a gentle slope following the lines of the retaining wall. In other words, you will have more compost at the top of the slope and gradually less as you bring the slope down to the front of the area.

Begin planting at the back of the slope using taller plants of your choice. Fill in the rest of the area by using medium-sized plants in the middle and shorter plants in the front. Also, consider using trailing vines along the edges of the retaining walls.

Mulch well after planting. Mulching not only makes the area look better and helps to suppress weeds, it also helps to prevent run-off that can be caused by watering and rain.

Save money and recycle by using old newspapers instead of landscaping fabric to cover the area. The thickness should be about 5 to 6 sheets. Overlap until the area is completely covered. The newspaper will help to suppress weeds and also decompose over time. The ink in the newspaper will not hurt the environment.

Another good way to help to further suppress weed growth is to put down a thin layer (about 1 to 2 inches) of coarse brown sand over your landscaping fabric or old newspapers. This will also help to promote good drainage.

For a large slope, consider using something like a Japanese maple tree as a focal point.

Do not make the grade on your slopped landscape too steep. If you do, you will need to terrace the area in order to keep the soil from being washed to the bottom when it rains. Having to terrace the area will also negate the gentle sloped look that you wish to achieve.