Terrace farming at home: 6 Benefits to terracing a backyard hill

Most people think that terracing is only for farmers, but you can use terraces in your sloped backyard. Terraces can be a home for herbs, fruit trees, and all your favorite fresh veggies. Plus, terraces are convenient - imagine picking strawberries without having to bend over! That’s not the only benefit - terracing farming is enticing for tons of reasons, it’s easy to see why thousands of people turn their backyard slope into a terrace farm each year! 

In this article, we’ll discuss the top 6 benefits of building a terrace in your backyard so you can make a more informed decision on how to handle your landscaping! 

ORGANIZATION

One reason why many people use terraces to break up their sloped backyard is because of organization. Terracing your yard can break up your herbs and vegetables into different sections to keep your yard organized. This is a great solution for gardeners who have a large variety of crops. 

EROSION CONTROL

Sloped backyards tend to have issues with erosion. This is because rainwater can run down the surface of the slope and displace the topsoil and minerals. Terracing your backyard can help with erosion because the soil will get locked into the terrace sections ensuring that rainwater doesn’t displace the soil. 

COST-EFFECTIVE

Terracing your yard can be a cost-effective way of managing the slope. For example - you could build a 10 ft retaining wall at a certain cost. Or, you could build a 4 ft retaining wall with 6 ft of terraces to reduce that original cost. Retaining walls get more expensive as they get taller because of the dirt’s weight, especially when filled with moisture. Terracing a portion of your slope can cut the cost of a retaining wall in half.  

AESTHETIC

Terracing your yard looks cool. Terraces break up your backyard into organized sections and can be eye-catching. Terracing can help add a “wow” factor to your home to make it feel cozier. 

SELF-SUSTAINING FOOD

Terracing your yard is a unique way to be more self-sustaining because you can grow your own food. There’s something heartwarming about knowing where your vegetables and fruits come from - especially when you grow them on your terrace. Fruit trees and berries are some of the best snacks to grow on your terraced slope, especially because you don’t have to break your back bending over!

NATURAL STEPS

Walking on a sloped landscape can be dangerous, especially if you get winter snow in your area. Terraces create steps so you can safely walk up and down the incline in your yard. This makes it easier for you to navigate through your vegetables and herbs.

HOW TO ESTIMATE THE COST OF A TERRACE FARM

If you want to turn your sloped backyard into terraces for herbs and vegetables, the first thing you need to do is find the slope ratio and measure the area of your yard. You might need to have an engineer visit your yard if you don’t have the proper tools. Once you do this, you can see a clear estimate on our ESTIMATES page. 

In conclusion, we know that picking the right solution for your sloped backyard is not easy. Thankfully, terrace farming in your backyard has tons of benefits. It’s easy to see why thousands of homeowners use this ancient farming practice to maximize their backyard slope. This landscaping solution has been tested time and time again so you won’t have to worry about irrigation or erosion issues. You’ll be excited to look at your aesthetic terraces with organized sections for plants and herbs. 

Dirt Locker is a sloped landscaping solution for hillside backyards that experience erosion and irrigation issues. We're on a mission to solve your sloped yard's engineering issues with our simple product! Unlike retaining walls that require permits and inspections, the Dirt Locker can get your garden dirt locked and ready to load with fresh fruits and vegetables in a matter of hours. Visit our site DirtLocker.com to see hillside transformations from a variety of steepness levels. If you have any questions about this article, contact us and we will be happy to return your email within 2 business days. Thank you for reading.