Make a rough sketch yourself, or consult a landscape professional for a more elaborate design. This is especially crucial if you live in an area that’s prone to slides, and if you are adding features such as rock walls, retaining walls, waterfalls, and berms that require specialized equipment and expertise. How easy is it to get around your slope? If doing the work and maintenance yourself, are you able to go up and down the hillside safely? Consult a professional.įor a difficult property or complex renovation, it’s advisable to hire a landscape designer, contractor, or architect who can evaluate your property and offer professional advice. Water runoff that collects at the bottom of a slope may need to be diverted with a French drain or other drainage system. Make sure there’s adequate drainage to reduce erosion and prevent walls from developing cracks, shifting, or collapsing. Less stable soil may require a sturdier option such as a retaining wall. Sand and silt drain more quickly and are more prone to erosion than clay. The type of soil will affect how well the slope drains and how much erosion might occur. Steep hillsides will require sturdier measures for controlling erosion, such as a retaining wall or terracing. A slight grade may be controlled with rocks, mulch, and plants to anchor the soil, while a medium grade may benefit from more stabilization with the installation of landscape fabric beneath topsoil or mulch. This will help you decide what solutions will be most effective. PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS Evaluate your slope.ĭetermine the grade of your hillside, whether it’s slight, medium or steep. Here are some things to look for, along with hillside landscaping ideas to get you started. It’s important to evaluate your property to come up with the most effective solutions for creating a beautiful landscape while keeping yourself and your property safe. Slopes are more susceptible to soil erosion and drainage issues, and a steep or uneven hillside can be difficult to navigate, making landscape installation and maintenance more difficult.Ī gentle slope is easier to deal with than a steep incline.

Photo: Janet Loughrey.Ī hillside property may offer scenic vistas or other advantages, but can also present some of the biggest landscaping challenges.

Cottage-style plantings adorn an urban front yard slope, which is reinforced with a stacked rock wall.

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