Front Yard Hill in NC: Don't Terrace—Improve Soil & Naturalize

Question: Abrupt hill in front yard (NC), rain erodes it. Considering terracing for flower beds/garden. Link to Google Maps provided.

Answer: Terracing Is Expensive; Fix Soil & Plant for Stability

Terracing requires costly walls. Main issue: builder likely stripped topsoil, leaving poor subsoil—grass can't thrive.

Better approach:

• Amend with mushroom compost or screened topsoil; overseed or lay new turf.
• Plant shrubs, trees, perennials that tolerate poor soil to stabilize slopes.
• Maintain a neat sod strip at edges; mulch a large central island with native plants.
• Naturalizing saves money and reduces maintenance.

Only terrace if you need usable flat lawn space.

—Sean J Murphy | seanjmurphy.com