The Cafe Terrace

Dirt on a steep slope tends to slip or corrode when normal rain runs down and heavy rain causes serious and potentially dangerous landslides. Adding the right ribs keeps the dirt on the slope. Some tilt enhancing options do not look very appealing but other ideas use landscaping techniques that can make your steep slope safe and attractive. Covers low ground  Grass planting will stabilize the surface of the steep slope if you make the seed stick until it sprouts, but keeping this vegetation trimmed and tidy is impossible on a steep slope. Try planting low-height soil cover plants instead, recommends the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). These plants spread superficial roots that keep the soil on the slope in place, but they keep it short and tidy without mowing. Perennial plants, such as short, spreading varieties of juniper also cover the ground all year round naked. Support Wall  Building a low wall at the base of the slope, also known as a retaining wall or...

Slopes can be difficult to plant because the water can wash down the slope along with anything you plant. And if the slope is steep, climbing it up for garden maintenance is not fun. Terracing a hill is an excellent solution to make your hill beautiful, productive and easy to maintain. You can make terraces in interesting shapes, curve them around a seating area, split them with a ladder in the middle or use them in many other decorative shapes. You can even use less visible pitch areas for gardens or cut vegetable gardens. To terrace on a hill, you will want to cut very wide step-like outside. Usually, this is done starting from the base. Smooth the top of a raised area by tapping against some kind of retaining wall. When the soil begins to accumulate behind the flat area, build another retaining wall and start flattening the second level. This will continue to the top. The barrier to keep the ground from falling forward in front of each 'step' needs to be solid and ...