Our earthworks follow the shape of the land. Terraces improve access to difficult slopes and integrate planting beds into the topography where native plant communities can thrive instead of getting washed away.

Terraces are formed manually, using swales and berms along the slope that slow, redirect and sink sheetwater runoff.

Each swale is shaped to accumulate and recharge the water table before overflowing into the next terrace.

The swales are layered with sunken hügelkultur, which helps decelerate and retain more water like a sponge.

Once shaping and layering is complete, swales and berms are ready for seeding and planting.

2 months after terrace completion, installation and 2 applications of seed shows robust colonization with native plant communities.

Terracing can redirect water away from the home and walk areas.

By incorporating sunken hügelkultur, terraces amend soil problems such as compaction and microbiome and nutrient depletion.

Organic matter from on-site is re-integrated to prevent loss of nutriment from the site.

Native plants such as elderberry and little bluestem are installed to provide quick growing root systems that will stabilize the earthwork.

The soil in these terraces will become richer as the debris breaks down, providing more planting space for this client who loves to garden.