How do I start designing on a slope?

Melissa K
by Melissa K
Have started clearing my sloping back and and wonder if anyone can tell me where to start designing and how do I cope with the slopes on my budget? Looking for some really original ideas. Have landscape timbers, plantings, and very large rocks. GO TEAM!
  7 answers
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Oct 29, 2012
    @Melissa K lots of people here happy to help. Can you supply a bit more information? A picture of you area would be really helpful as well. How big is you area? Is it in the sun or shade ? Does it slope away down from the back of your yard or up? How far away is it from the back of your home? Do you have a good means of getting water to the area?
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Oct 29, 2012
    I have set about 50 landscape timbers the last two summers at my place...not so much for "landscaping" ...but to supply some additional area for parking...I still have a bit to go as I hope to add some more to provide a walking path to my basement work shop, with stairs etc.these timbers are 8 feet long a 6 x 6" so by their very nature they are heavy... I pinned them in place with 1/2 rebar and also set deadmen. Timber to timber connections were doe with 10" timber lock screws. Once the timbers are a few courses high, the soil filling can commence.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Oct 29, 2012
    4S asks the questions that need asking. Then we're ready to chime in.
  • Melissa K Melissa K on Oct 30, 2012
    Will try to post pictures tomorrow. The land slopes away from the house away back to a dry creek bed, so the slope near the end is tragically steep there. It is about half a football field away from what I am able to use now; It's mostly shaded from large pines, dogwoods and oaks. There is quite a bit of straw and leaf mold that I am bringing up to my flower and vegetable gardens. The property next door is only woods and was recently cut for pulpwood, so now there is a lot of new growth that I am attempting to keep away from the property line by means of a chain saw and burning. This is working well, but I would like to plant all these new saplings of altheas and other plants on line. Planted some newly rooted hydrangeas there today and some mexican petunias that have become overgrown in my yard. These are planted on the line where there is some sunlight. I wish I had a "before" picture before I post the "after" pictures. I guess my main question to you guys is , what is the best way to get on the other side of the rises and stake them off so that I lessen the erosion? My hubby and I actually cut a road yesterday so that he can have truck access to the fallen trees for firewood. I have about 15 garden timbers and about the same amount of concrete blocks (8") that I would like to begin the hill process, but does one need a machine to come in and make the backs of the hills straight so that I can lay lumber, etc, or just start building? Only using downed timbers now. Where do I begin?
  • Melissa K Melissa K on Oct 30, 2012
    You should be aware that the land will slope then is level for some distance, then slopes again down to the steepest slope that I don't intend to tackle. I heard that this was a logging road area years ago. I would like the area to be naturalized but no underbrush (mostly gone now) with some plantings along the way and pathways leading to a picnic/play area on the main landing. Wishful thinking, but willing to work hard, and hubby is resigned.
  • Melissa K Melissa K on Nov 03, 2012
    Thanks to all!
  • Lori Broderick Lori Broderick on Aug 07, 2015
    Depending on the slope is it away from the house or towards the house? That will determine what type of ground coating to add, gravel, pine straw or mulch. Since it is on a slope it really is best to plant, plantings that are best for you area zone that are perennials because you don't want to be weeding on a slope. Make sure to also consider the size the plants will become so there is no overcrowding. And if it is on a slope that doesn't have easy access you might consider wildflowers.