A slope can be a challenge to landscape in your backyard, but it also gives you the opportunity to add some highly attractive choices to the space. Instead of viewing your slope as a problem, turn it into a gardening or landscaping asset. The following ideas can help provide some inspiration.

Idea #1: Green it up

Gentle slopes may need little more than a green covering to look good. Whether you opt for grass or a groundcover, the main issue is getting the plants established so they don't wash away. Begin by making sure there is a couple of inches of topsoil on the slope. Then, plant the ground cover of your choice. If you opt for grass, sod is a better choice than seed since seed can wash down the slope before it germinates. You can stake the sod down until it roots. Another option is to install a mesh over the slope until the plants are well established. There are slope meshes available that slowly biodegrade into the soil.

Idea #2: Create a wide terrace

For shallow slopes, a wide terrace is likely your best option. These work well on slopes that climb up several feet in a steep grade. You begin with installing a retaining wall in front of the bottom of the slope. Stone, concrete, brick, or wood can all look good. Keep in mind that wood will eventually need replaced though, so you may want to use it as a decorative element in front of a more durable concrete wall. You can then terrace off the top of the ground at the level of the wall to create a planting area or even a patio.

Idea #2: Install a stepped terrace

Stepped terraces can be striking in the landscape. These are generally a good idea for large, wide sloping area or for an area with uneven sloping, such as a hilly corner of the property. You will once again be installing retaining walls, but instead of a single wall you will install multiple walls at varying heights. The rear wall will reach up to the maximum level of the slope, or the top of the hill. Then, the remaining walls will each be lower than the one behind it, creating a stair-step configuration. You can have the space between each terrace equal, or you can add curves to the retaining walls or make some terraces wider than others. This works well if you plan to grow ornamentals or vegetables in some terraces, while using others for outdoor furniture or entertaining areas.

For retaining walls, contact a company such as New Horizon Landscapes & Design.