How to Build an Earth Berm for Terracing

Building Earth Berms for Terracing

• 1

  Dig horizontally into the hillside to create a relatively flat terrace for your crops. Depending on the gradient and how well the soil is held together, you may also need to make the slope up to the next level more gradual in order to prevent collapses.

• 2

  Take the soil you removed from the hillside to make the terrace and pile it along the edge of the "cliff" where your flat terrace transitions into a downward slope. The size of the berm will depend on how much water you want the terrace to hold, which will depend on the types of plants you intend to grow there. About 6 to 8 inches in height and nearly twice as wide is a relatively versatile size for a berm.

• 3

  Using hands and shovels, pack the dirt of the berm as tightly as possible.

• 4

  Collect as many stones and pebbles as possible. These will stud the surface of your berm to slow down the flow of water.

• 5

  Pack the rocks all around the berm, packing them into the dirt with your fingers. They don't need to be perfectly fitted together like cobblestones, but the more coverage you can provide without crushing the berm under heavy stones, the better. Plan not just for water flowing along the ground, but also water falling from the sky. This rock layer will greatly increase the life of your berm.

• 6

  Cut a few overflow channels into the top of the berm. Carefully line it with stones to slow erosion. Don't make the channel so deep that the berm doesn't do anything -- the goal here is to provide an escape route for water in the event of a big storm or heavy watering, rather than drowning your plants or destroying the whole berm. Send the overflow water down to the next terrace.

• 7

  Test your terrace and berm by slowly filling it with water. Does it collapse anywhere along its length? Does it hold too much water, or too little? It is very important to test your berm rather than waiting for the next rainstorm to test it for you.