Terracing

Terracing in Wood County is not nearly as important as it is in other locations, since we are pretty flat.  However, it is still something to consider when landscaping and changing the slope of your yard.  Terraces can offer mini- gardens throughout your landscape.  On more sloped ground, terraces can make planting possible.  When done, terraces prevent erosion by shortening the long slope into a series of shorter, more level slopes.

Adding garden beds to a retaining wall is an example of terracing.  While we do not have too many locations in the county that would be this drastic there are still spots in your landscape that this could be done.

Tiered beds alongside steps from a porch can also give curb appeal with keeping your soil in place.





Adding tiered beds on an otherwise flat yard can add dimension and appeal on an otherwise flat landscape.

Materials for TerracesNumerous materials are available for building terraces. 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. 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 terraces include bricks, rocks, concrete blocks, and similar masonry materials. Some masonry materials are made specifically for walls and terraces 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.

On the Farm

Terraces catch runoff water, let the water soak into the ground, and deliver the excess safely to the bottom of a hillside much like eavespouts on a house. The earthen ridges built around a hillside on the contour cut a long slope into shorter slopes, preventing water from building to a highly erosive force. Some terraces are seeded to grass, which provides erosion control and a nesting area for birds. Terraces are often used in combination with other conservation practices to provide more complete soil protection.

Stripcropping is a common erosion control practice on many farms. Farmers often alternate strips of corn or soybeans with strips of hay. Many farmers put erosion prone areas into permanent cover.