How to Make a Berm

If you have a flat backyard that needs some definition, consider building a berm. A berm is a wedge-shaped hill that divides up areas of the yard, provides an additional planting surface and directs drainage to specific areas. There are no hard and fast rules to building a berm, so you can be creative. However, by following a few guidelines, you can build a berm in just a few hours.

Marking paint
Shovel
Hand tamper
Topsoil
Soil
Rake

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the area where you want to make the berm. Anticipate how it will affect drainage and change the overall look of the yard. Mark the ground wherever you want to place the berm using the marking paint.
- 2
  Dig up the grass and topsoil inside the marked area using the shovel. Add soil to the inside of the marked area using a shovel, flattening down each layer of soil with the tamper.
- 3
  Shape the berm so that it forms a wedge shape, angled in whichever directions you want to complement your yard. Continue adding soil and tamping it down with the tamper until you find the berm sized to your liking.
- 4
  Add 1 to 3 inches of topsoil to the top of the berm. Mix the top 2 to 3 inches of topsoil with the soil using a shovel, then lightly tamp down the top of the berm. Smooth out the shape using the backside of a rake.

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