Hillside House

I am contemplating some small terraces on our property. Zone 7B. High annual rainfall. Infinite rock at our disposal. House was built in a clearing surrounded by forest. The clearing is a rocky hillside. Digging is not an option without borrowing/renting a tractor.

I’m been considering some smaller stone rip-rap style terraces. Make a small rip-rap “mound” and back fill with compost. 1.5-2ft tall tops depending on how wide we want the terraces. My landscaper friend suggested small Gabion walls and backfill. Either way, picking and wheelbarrowing around rock from the property will ultimately be the most time consuming part.

I made rock wall terraces in the “backyard” for one garden, and it’s held up pretty well and looks great- but dang did that take FOREVER in being selective with rocks to achieve good leveling and eye pleasing angles. No cement- dry stack. This holds up fine- but the time is a drawback. A random mound of stones seems easier- could be wrong.

I’m hoping terraces could make our front easier to maintain. Right now, it needs to be weedeated 2-3 times a year and that’s time consuming and difficult- rocks. What is the best cost saving solution? I’m cool with yet another project that takes a while. Each year things get a little nicer.