Preparing to Build a Terrace

• 1). Consider what type of material your terrace wall will be made of--namely stone, brick or treated wood. The latter option is cheaper, easier to install and said to be safe around plants. Use brick or stone only if you're doing more extensive landscaping, want to show it off and don't mind spending a little more money. Make sure the material you use on your terrace walls is strong enough to withstand water. Damp soil from heavy rainstorms during winter can create enough weight collapse weak terrace walls.
  
  
• 2). Estimate how high the terrace walls will be and how many you'll need. Divide the horizontal and vertical distances of your slope and multiply the answer by the length in feet you want your terrace beds to be. Generally, 1 to 2 feet is adequate.
  
  
• 3). Divide the horizontal with the vertical slope distances to get the estimate of how many terrace beds you'll need.
  
  

Building the Terrace

• 1). Cut your treated wood terrace wall to the desired length with a table saw.
  
  
• 2). Drill two holes on each end of your terrace wall pieces about 1 inch in diameter or big enough to put a spike through. The spikes will help reinforce the terracing.
  
  
• 3). Dig a trench to place the terrace walls for your first tier. If your terrace wall is less than 2 feet high, bury it down to half of the wall's thickness to make sure it's sturdy. Use a simple tape measure to determine the wall's width.
  
  
• 4). Dig two other trenches for the sides of your terrace. When digging, make sure the bottom is level with the bottom part of the first trench. Make sure the width of the side trench is at least 1 inch larger than the width of your terrace wall material.
  
  
• 5). Place the spikes through the end holes of your terrace wall and pound them in securely with a hammer so they're firmly into the ground. The spikes should be at least 1 1/2 foot high (if not higher), depending on the slope.
  
  
• 6). Dig your next trenches for the second tier of your terrace and place spikes through the next wall. Consider overlapping corners with the other tier walls so the spike can conjoin them for better reinforcement.
  
  
• 7). Transport dirt from the back of your slope to the front with a shovel to level the soil on all tiers.