1toknow: Home and Garden

Terracing Slopes

Materials for Terracing Slopes

Numerous materials are available for terracing slopes. Treated wood is often used because of several advantages: it is easy to work with, blends well with plants, and is often less expensive than other materials. There are many types of treated wood on the market--from railroad ties to landscaping timbers that can be used for terracing slopes. These materials will last for years. While there has been some concern about using these treated materials around plants, studies by Texas A&M University and the Southwest Research Institute concluded that these materials are not harmful to gardens or people when used as recommended. Other materials for terracing slopes include bricks, rocks, concrete blocks, and similar masonry materials. Some masonry materials are made specifically for walls and terracing slopes and can be more easily installed by a homeowner than other materials such as field stone and brick. Most stone or masonry products tend to be more expensive than wood.