How to Terrace a Front Yard

Architect Gregory Thomas of CG&S Design Build designed a complete makeover for the front yard of a Texas home and the new multi-terrace lawn, reinforced with steel retaining walls, was installed by Pearson Landscape. This is the step by step renovation which adds water conservation features into the plan.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Tame the Slope with Terracing

Architect Gregory Thomas of CG&S Design Build designed a complete makeover for the front yard of a Texas home. The new multi-terrace lawn, reinforced with steel retaining walls, was installed by Pearson Landscape. This renovation also added water conservation features into the plan.

The first phase of converting this front yard to a terraced landscape is to remove the existing ground cover and began shaping the mounds of dirt.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project, Step 1: Strip and Start Over

The first phase of converting this front yard to a terraced landscape is to remove the existing ground cover and began shaping the mounds of dirt.

The crew creates the first tier of the yard and backfills it with a mixture of 2/3 compacted road base and 1/3 high quality topsoil and compost to create a hard foundation that will not expand, contract or shrink.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project, Step 2: Operation Backfill

The crew creates the first tier of the yard and backfills it with a mixture of 2/3 compacted road base and 1/3 high quality topsoil and compost to create a hard foundation that will not expand, contract or shrink.

The terraced yard will be supported and reinforced by steel walls that will also function as a drip irrigation system for new plantings.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project, Step 3: Yard of Steel

The terraced yard will be supported and reinforced by steel walls that will also function as a drip irrigation system for new plantings.

The terrace design for the new lawn begins to take shape as workers install steel reinforcements for each level of the yard.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project, Step 4: Take It to the Next Level

The terrace design for the new lawn begins to take shape as workers install steel reinforcements for each level of the yard.

The new yard is given a slight incline which will create a uniform look with the raised terraces once the ground is ready for plants and vegetation again.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project, Step 5: Down is Up

The new yard is given a slight incline which will create a uniform look with the raised terraces once the ground is ready for plants and vegetation again.

Each steel wall supported terrace has been designed for drip irrigation, filled with earth and leveled off in preparation for the planting stage.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project, Step 6: Level Playing Fields

Each steel wall supported terrace has been designed for drip irrigation, filled with earth and leveled off in preparation for the planting stage.

The main street entrance to the house is a final touch and features a striking elevated walkway made of a natural flagstone known as Oklahoma stone.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project, Step 7: Center Stage Flagstone

The main street entrance to the house is a final touch and features a striking elevated walkway made of a natural flagstone known as Oklahoma stone.

Workers prepare the terraces for new plants by installing the drip irrigation and covering the earth with mulch.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project, Step 8: Soil Essentials

Workers prepare the terraces for new plants by installing the drip irrigation and covering the earth with mulch.

The new plants are all in place and the terraced landscape will soon blend in naturally with its surroundings as if it was the original front yard design.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project, Step 9: New Kid on the Block

The new plants are all in place and the terraced landscape will soon blend in naturally with its surroundings as if it was the original front yard design.

The side of the yard that borders the driveway offers an attractive multi-level view that is highlighted by terraces of Mexican Feather grass (Nassella tenuissima), Gulf muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaries) and native turfgrass.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project: Lush Borders

The side of the yard that borders the driveway offers an attractive multi-level view that is highlighted by terraces of Mexican feathergrass (Nassella tenuissima), Gulf muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) and native turfgrass.

In addition to the attractive native grasses, these terraces contain other drought tolerant plants that are popular in the southwest such as 'Amistad' salvia (on the top tier next to the porch) and Little Ollie dwarf olive bushes (Olea europaea 'Montra') that run along the middle tier.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project: Native Survivors

In addition to the attractive native grasses, these terraces contain other drought tolerant plants that are popular in the southwest such as 'Amistad' salvia (on the top tier next to the porch) and 'Little Ollie' dwarf olive bushes (Olea europaea 'Montra') that run along the middle tier.

An entirely different perspective is offered by this view of the top tier terrace from the opposite side of the house.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project: Sidelong Glances

An entirely different perspective is offered by this view of the top tier terrace from the opposite side of the house.

This enticing view of the front yard from the street draws your eye up the terraced steps to the front door for maximum curb appeal.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project: Lure of the New

This enticing view of the front yard from the street draws your eye up the terraced steps to the front door for maximum curb appeal.

Minimum lawn maintenance is required with the new terraced yard since the top tier is the only space dedicated to a grass plot.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project: Top Turf

Minimal lawn maintenance is required with the new terraced yard since the top tier is the only space dedicated to a grass plot.

Each terrace level has its own distinct style and plantings. River rocks run along the edge, 'May Night' salvia, 'Iceberg' and 'Martha Gonzales' Roses populate the descending slope, Firecracker ferns (Russelia equisetiformis) and Autumn sage (Salvia greggli) are featured in the middle tier, marigolds border the staircase and native turfgrass occupies the top tier.

Photo: Image courtesy of Pearson Landscape

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Steel Terrace Project: Layered Vegetation

Each terrace level has its own distinct style and plantings. River rocks run along the edge, 'May Night' salvia, 'Iceberg' and 'Martha Gonzales' roses populate the descending slope, firecracker ferns (Russelia equisetiformis) and autumn sage (Salvia greggli) are featured in the middle tier, marigolds border the staircase and native turfgrass occupies the top tier.

Terrace Landscaping Ideas

Tame the Slope with Terracing

Steel Terrace Project, Step 1: Strip and Start Over

Steel Terrace Project, Step 2: Operation Backfill

Steel Terrace Project, Step 3: Yard of Steel

Steel Terrace Project, Step 4: Take It to the Next Level

Steel Terrace Project, Step 5: Down is Up

Steel Terrace Project, Step 6: Level Playing Fields

Steel Terrace Project, Step 7: Center Stage Flagstone

Steel Terrace Project, Step 8: Soil Essentials

Steel Terrace Project, Step 9: New Kid on the Block

Steel Terrace Project: Lush Borders

Steel Terrace Project: Native Survivors

Steel Terrace Project: Sidelong Glances

Steel Terrace Project: Lure of the New

Steel Terrace Project: Top Turf

Steel Terrace Project: Layered Vegetation

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