How to Terrace a Slope

Locate any underground wires and pipes so you do not to disturb them when digging.

Measure the width of the slope that you want to terrace. If it is a gradual grade, you may decide to create vertical walls that are not too high and wider horizontal walkways or gardens. But, a steep hill may need higher vertical walls and narrower horizontal surfaces. Count on a minimum of 3-foot to 4-foot widths for each horizontal surface, and no more than 2-foot heights for vertical walls.

Determine the number of terraces you will be making by dividing the height of the slope by the wall height. For example, if your slope measures 10 feet high and you want the walls to be 2 feet tall, divide 10 by 2. The number of terraces you would build is five.

Multiply the width of the slope by the number of tiers you expect to create. Multiply that resulting number by the height of each retaining wall that you have planned to get the square footage of retaining wall material needed.

Dig the first tier at the bottom of the slope, creating a flat surface with a perpendicular wall.

Mark the site of the retaining wall by pounding stakes with your sledgehammer at each end of the wall. Tie strings from stake to stake, holding your level for guidance.

Dig a trench 2 or 3 inches in front of the wall to accommodate one-half of the width of one railroad tie. Set the tie in the trench. Use your level to make sure it's perfectly horizontal. Fill in behind the tie with dirt.

Lay your next tie on top of the last one, setting it back 1/2 inch from the outer edge of the lower one. Hammer nails at 2-foot intervals from the top tie to the lower one to bind them. Fill in behind the tie with dirt. Repeat with the remaining ties, building your retaining wall higher than you expect the next tier up to start.

Rake the dirt on the horizontal level to even it out.