Georgia Hill Landscaping Ideas

Retaining Walls

• Separate a steep hill in your yard from flat areas of the yard with a retaining wall. Stack attractive landscaping bricks or stones to create a wall that will manage water drainage and prevent soil erosion in your yard. Behind the wall, drainage tile, gravel and GeoTech fabrics will aid drainage. You can make this wall multiple layers, if you prefer, so that it is easy to climb up if you need to get onto the hill. You can also add a stairway or stepping stones. Once the retaining wall is built and looks aesthetically attractive, allow the grass on the hill to grow wild, or plant perennial grasses and wildflowers that are easy to grow in Georgia, such as Black-Eyed Susan, Cornflower and Lemon Mint.

Hill Covering

• Because Georgia hills tend to be steep and difficult to maintain, one popular method of landscaping is to simply cover the hill with bark or mulch. This method is the simplest landscaping technique to reduce maintenance and prevent you from having to mow the grass on the hill. Though this method isn't as aesthetic as others, it adds a color and textural variety to the yard, and it allows you to focus more attention on the flat areas of the yard. To maintain a hill of bark or mulch, consider lining the bottom of the hill with wooden boards, rocks or trusses to prevent erosion. To keep the material in place during rainfalls, consider growing shrubs on the hill, such as Mayberry, Georgia basil and Honeycup, all native to Georgia.

Terrace

• If your home rests on top of a steep slope, consider constructing a deck that overlooks the hill and allows you to enjoy the scenery from above. From your backyard, you can incorporate a patio outside your back door or just a walkway that leads to where the hill begins to slope downward. Bobvila recommends building a multilayer deck that will gradually move down the hill and break up the uniformity of the hill. When building, choose wood and railings that are structurally sound and that are naturally rot-resistant against Georgia's rainfalls and hot, humid weather. Rot-resistant, durable choices include cedar, redwood and cypress.