How to Make a Terrace in a Hillside

Hillside slopes are challenging areas for landscaping due to difficulty in accessing the land as well as soil erosion. Terracing the land by cutting a series of steps into the hill creates flat areas for planting and can control water and soil runoff during storms. Although a terrace can be labor-intensive and require a significant financial investment in building materials, it can also yield hundreds of square feet of usable outdoor space for gardening.

Shovel

Treated timbers

Chain saw

Power drill with 1.5-inch drill bit

18-inch lengths of reinforcing bar

Sledgehammer

Dig a 6-inch-deep trench equal to the width of the first terrace step. You will need to bury the first timber halfway to anchor it into the ground.

Dig trenches into the hillside perpendicular to the face of the slope. These trenches are for the side timbers of the terrace and should only be one inch longer than the width of the timbers.

Cut two timbers to length to fit into the side trenches using a chain saw.

Arrange the timbers into the trenches and drill holes every 18 inches using the power drill.

Secure the timbers in place by pounding reinforcing bars through the holes with a sledgehammer. These anchors should penetrate at least 12 inches below the timbers into the soil.

Place another timber over the back edge of the current terrace to create the front face of the next step up the hill. Overlap the anchor holes in the corner of the new timber with the back corners on the side timbers from the lower level. This will lock the tiers in place and add stability to the terrace.

Repeat steps 1 through 6 until your terrace is at the desired height.

Fill the terrace levels with topsoil to create level tiers.

Always contact your utility companies to mark gas, water and electric lines before you dig.

Obtain all necessary local, county or homeowner's association permits before you begin construction.