Amazing Sloped Backyard Transformation- A Timelapse Guide

Take a look at this project we just completed in the El Cerrito Hills. This was a challenging site as a majority of the yard was sloped. The client wanted a place to hang out on top the hill to see the amazing views of the San Francisco Bay and we did just that! The redwood bench is "floating" and integrated with a steel retaining wall behind. We used redwood 6x6 timbers to create a stairway to get to the top of the hill with a steel railing. Down below on the flat areas we have a Decomposed granite patio space, a dymondia "lawn" and another bench seating area to hang out. We utilized the existing CMU wall and instead of demolishing it, we decided to stucco it to give it new life! We think it turned out great. What do you think?
▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
0:00 - Demolition and site preparation
0:46 - Trenching for our water and electrical lines
1:05 - New concrete forms
1:31 - Grading for new patio
1:41 - Prepping for new redwood stairway
1:52 - Construction of redwood stairway
2:18 - Concrete pour and concrete finishing
2:35- CMU planter construction
2:42- Upper patio construction
3:01- lower gravel patio edging installation and continuing upper patio construction
4:16-Planting
4:48-Stucco existing walls
5:15-Weed fabric installation
6:04-Lower redwood bench installation
6:18-End result

[@joeg9478]

Beautiful transformation! It’s frustrating to read all the negative criticism about not getting enough usable space. My first home had a very similar sloped backyard and it’s challenging. If you want to create a ton of usable space you’re going to have to build very high retaining walls which are very ugly. This owner wanted to update the yard while staying true to the natural landscape. Bravo!

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much Joe! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@diversegardener392]

Nice but will it hold on in a heavy rainstorm and Earthquake at the same time? Or will the house above it wind up on there house?

[@davidtop6242]

What is the brown stuff covering the soil?

[@rprimeauableful]

They were good to leave a bunch of it as unused for stuff, so its not cluttered. Plus, espectially with that much room to space, its' a more useful priority to stabilize that big slope with plants (my only critque is that I wouldn't have added weed fabric, because thats then one more thing to manage, and I'm just more greenie about it. But they also blew in a little bit too much mulch and maybe it'll slide off the weed fabric. Thats fine, if I moved into that house I wouldnt go through the hassle of trying to pull the weed fabric out, so instead I'd plant more stuff through new holes cut through it.

[@AnnikaOBrien]

I live in a raised neighborhood with a sloped backyard. I converted it to a food forest with gated gardens and the hardest part is planting everything in the appropriate spot for water. Berries and grapes need sandy loamy soil with adequate drainage while banana trees are perfectly happy sitting in water for a few days. This is a gorgeous transformation, it’s nice to see folks use what they got rather than complain and move somewhere that requires less creativity. Edit: Just noticed the negative comments about your work and people saying it should be an edible garden. I have the lowest maintenance garden ever and it’s still a lot of work with pruning and harvesting and pest control - running irrigation lines don’t automate that for you. You did right to deliver what the customer ordered rather than plant food.

[@terragardensca]

That’s awesome! I think if this was my yard I would do the same 🐸 lots of food to eat. the clients are happy with it. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@friscoHub415]

I have a giant Hill in my backyard and for the last year I've been putting fruit trees apples lemons nectarines peaches and more but me getting water to the ones up top will be my problem but I will run pvc or something on top of ground it don't gotta look beautiful also I just decided tomorrow I will build a retaining wall up high why not. I was going to ask you this the banana trees live forever or do they die and you have to put a new one every year

[@ronnie-being-ronnie]

@@friscoHub415 The mother plant puts out pups. You can leave those in place, or transplant to start a new area.

[@normandycoloma8851]

how much for tis project?

[@SJR_Media_Group]

*_Former Landscape Architect from Seattle Area..._* I worked for one of the best Landscape Architects in Seattle. When times were slow, I worked for a contractor in same building who was boss's son. Your project brought back some memories. Worked on lots of steep sites with limited access. This required lots of human labor. Had sites where concrete was done the old fashion way... by wheelbarrow. Same goes with topsoil, bark, plants, debris, etc. We had some young bucks with lots of muscles that helped a lot. Keep them moving in right direction and all is good. Noticed on your video the single short ladder access to first terrace and upper slope. Nice job keeping concrete pristine during critical curing phase. Great looking finished site, owners must be very happy. Always a day to celebrate a finished project. *_Job well done..._*

[@terragardensca]

Wow thank you so much for taking the time to watch and for your comment. This is our 7th year in business so we still have lots to learn but your comment is reassuring and I figure we are doing something right! Clients are very happy, and the garden is growing in nicely. Sites like these you cannot use machinery, so we did have to do lots by hand. Thanks again for your comment, it made my day. -Adam

[@SJR_Media_Group]

@@terragardensca Adam it was my pleasure. It takes time to grow a business. Happy clients and word of mouth is far more valuable and effective than many other forms of marketing, especially in this kind of business. I have old projects that are over 40 plus years mature now. Plants grow and needs change. Repeat client business is really very satisfying. I was fortunate to learn and apply what I learned both in Design and Construction. Even before 5 years of college, I was already working summers in construction. It made me a better Architect. Too many of them have crazy plans that are impractical to build. I always designed it in a way that I could build it myself. Again, great job.

[@jackstrubbe7608]

Also retired landscape architect here in Seattle! I used to work with Halperin and Associates years ago in my pre-private-contracting days. Did your clients take advantage at the presumably seasonal water retention/collection capabilities of that huge flat rooftop? When I lived in the Sonora (I apprenticed at Taliesin West) I would have drooled over the possibilities there, with a potential under-patio storage cistern and sump-pump for a gravity-feed irrigation system. While I do love the central-axis solution you produced, I would have been inclined (oops bad pun alert!) to have triangulation the entire project with switchbacks, enabling more wheelbarrow access up most of the space, and eliminating muich of the stair construction. Those gentle diagonal walkways also would enhance illusion of space. I got excited when the counterpoint of the summit bench started a turn in that direction.❤ Would love to see this as it fills in! Job well done.

[@SJR_Media_Group]

@@jackstrubbe7608 Wow thanks for reply. I worked with Glen Hunt and Associates in Seattle and with his son Kevin Hunt General Contractor. I even opened an office in Yakima under Glen Hunt Banner. 1980 Volcano ended that, no one wanted to have outside projects with uncertainty of another eruption. I moved back to Seattle. I even worked with a architectural firm in Yakima. Lake Aspen and Willow Lake developments were mine. It's amazing to see how good all the native plants and trees have thrived and now mature. I'm retired too, but never too old to appreciate really good design. Back in Yakima but would love to move to San Diego. My kids are here and I would miss them if I moved.

[@Thomas63r2]

Kudos to Terra Gardens for the imaginative reinvention of the normally wasted slope space into a viewing platform destination! Bella Terra!

[@leastewart3779]

Excellent. I've just moved into a new home that needs a lot of work . These videos really help.

[@ronnie-being-ronnie]

Just a tip for people with slopes: asparagus puts roots ten feet down, which helps stabilize a slope. Less destructive than tree roots, which can cause uplifting or break through structures. No force on the roots with high winds like happens with trees. That force can cause land slides when trees topple. Less water demand than trees. Protects soil, like grass, but roots go deeper than grass. The patch will naturalize and spread. Edible! Best sandwich: Asparagus, pickled salmon, goat cheese; with a lemon juice and olive oil dressing. Yum!

[@terragardensca]

Asparagus fans unite!

[@Erniesworld]

It’s beautiful just the way it is, I agree with some of the other comments but when you work 5 days a week who wants to deal with a large food garden, this is easy to maintain and ready when you need it, and increases your property value but still leaves plenty of opportunity to make a food forest or plant grass if that’s what you want. Very nice 👍🏻

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much for your feedback! Yes, it is what the client wanted. That is our ultimate goal 🙌

[@HanNguyen-vn1fj]

I have a yard half that size and I can barely maintain. Especially with how hot the weather has been. There’s no way most people could just do a forest garden especially if you’re short on time and fighting to stay hydrated in this heat.

[@Brendissimo1]

A lot of steep hillside lots like these in the Bay Area. I think you guys did a great job. Especially since the bench with a view was the client's #1 priority. And the need for drought tolerant plants and landscaping in NorCal now more than ever. Still I might have splurged for a tiny patch of lawn in that flat area under the tree, just to lie on, but that's me.

[@HanginInSF]

I saw that back yard and knew it was SF immediately

[@terragardensca]

😂

[@savannahsmiles1797]

I saw it and knew where it was as I grew up in the Bay Area...

[@kwesty1]

Funny! I immediately was thinking East Richmond Heights, then looked and saw el Cerrito..

[@Brendissimo1]

Exactly, everything about this screams SF Bay Area

[@alfredvelasquezsr4068]

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT IF THAT LOWER FLAT PART WAS GRASS AND A PATIO WITH SHADE AND BBQ AREA. I BELIEVE DURING HEAVY RAINS THE BARK GROUND COVER IS GOING TO RUN DOWN TOWARDS THE BOTTOM PORTION. LOOKS VERY NICE BUT VERY LITTLE USAGE FROM A LARGE AREA FOR ENTERTAINMENT FUNCTIONS.

[@feliciac.5981]

This looks great! It'll be stunning when all the plants start to fill out. The view from the top sitting area is fantastic, I'd sit up there reading a book and enjoying the view. I have slopped areas that I have no idea how to work, this video was an inspiration.

[@terragardensca]

Thanks so much!

[@MaS-es9rv]

Heavy rains that cause flooding will leave a challenge. That red mulch will have to be replaced yearly and weeds in a year or two will be a very huge problem. Even when you lay down fabric, weeds tend to find a home on top of it. You can keep it nice but count on a lot of work.

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@glennmaxfield6618]

That garden was begging for a slide. What fun that would be and it could double as a water feature when it rains 🙂

[@terragardensca]

Haha yes! What a good idea. We actually have some projects coming up where we are going to put in a slide! Excited to share it in the future!

[@twilner89]

This is super inspirational. Thank you so much! Love the use of the redwood.

[@terragardensca]

Thanks so much!

[@dylandabel6360]

Would love a more detailed look at each of the bigger parts of the project. Great results would love to have even a 1-2 min video about how to make the stairs or make the concrete walls so smooth.

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for the feedback! Will keep that in mind for the future

[@shicniaknewton6598]

Turned out beautiful. Very helpful and gave me an idea with what to do in my backyard that is also inclined. The drone view was excellent, thanks for that. This was a very rejuvenating video to see the process and how long it can actually take. Great job. Looks amazing and enjoyable😊

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much for watching and for your kind comment!

[@lindapindabelinda3570]

Awesome design! Got lots of useable space and stabilization of the slope

[@terragardensca]

thank you so much!

[@PittX]

Very well done. But to be honest I think adding the step lighting and an outdoor fireplace for this project would make it even better.

[@terragardensca]

Thank you! And yes that’s coming! The client is going to buy it, I’ll have an update on this project soon. Thanks for watching!

[@TheDizzydiana]

What a great effort, lots of hard work going on there. If this was my garden I'd love to have palm trees and tropical plants. Love watching video's like this, we may have our own ideas but take inspiration from other people as well. I've subscribed.

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much for watching and subscribing!

[@scalewarmachines]

Great job, I have a hillside home with a steep rear garden (currently an untended jungle) so this was very useful and inspirational. It does prove to me that it’s complex and challenging (but you had a retaining wall already in place) and in my case prohibitively expensive, however, it has encouraged me to get something done, even if it’s a personal job done over years. It does show that after a lot of hard work it may not yield that much useable space and there is only so much you can do with steep garden. You did an excellent job and I appreciate the design and site limitations you faced, as some people in the comments probably don’t have a hilly garden. You did a good design and good job!

[@terragardensca]

Thank you for your comment!

[@francescoguerrisi7518]

Mine the same jungle..

[@DallasHansson]

I love this! Looks brilliant.

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much!

[@miket4685]

Great job - what a difference!

[@terragardensca]

Thanks so much!

[@cristinag.7420]

Its a beatifull place and congrats to the people who worked hard on it.!!don't take on board all those comments full of envy😂😂😂😂

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much!! The client is happy, and so are we! Thanks for watching.

[@mausimausi5195]

Amazing job

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much!

[@sahej6939]

Very nice! My yard is exactly like this!

[@terragardensca]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@benjaminthame4174]

Look great guys , top job.

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much! Thanks for watching.

[@SD-ni5xf]

Very well done!

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much!

[@stanleyhochrein9136]

Looks great, Way better. 👍

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much!

[@femf8tal]

Nicely done

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much!

[@lindabell5534]

First thing it needs is roots to hold that soil back. That's why trees are on either side nature knows a lot.

[@terragardensca]

Yup! 🌲🌲

[@Erniesworld]

Nature don’t know shit, if it wasn’t for us it would be 100% weeds, hold what back a tiny little hill there is a wall up there holding everything back…how much did you spend on your property improvements linda (karen)

[@kylerodgers2045]

awesome video!

[@StephenBoesch]

that was an absolutely crazy amount of work, i hate to think of the expense

[@terragardensca]

It was a crazy amount of work 😵

[@josemercado3133]

@@terragardensca what was the budget?

[@terragardensca]

@@josemercado3133 Hey Jose, this project was in the 80-100k range. Hope this helps and thanks for your comment!

[@richardmckrell4899]

Great yard for a slide.

[@terragardensca]

Agreed!

[@jjarredondo6130]

dig the bench idea

[@terragardensca]

Thanks!

[@magickingdomwishes2840]

You guys did a great job. But I personally don't like the customers design choice but hey you brought their design to life in a beautiful way. Great job 👍

[@terragardensca]

Thank you!!!

[@aparamita25985]

Awsome design of garden. Fantastic one. I would like to request you that pl upload video same one with zig zag footpath(pedestrian)

[@mihir1262]

Excellent transformation. I am looking to purchase a home with a similar sloped backyard. Could you please let me know what will be the ballpark range for the same project now?

[@jakemf1]

Lots of work for very little usable space

[@philiphorner31]

Exactly my issue in Susanville. My aching back

[@savannahsmiles1797]

I know Susanville, grandparents had built a summer home in Eagle Lake, we went for food every friday during the summer.

[@balamadras]

Great work. A shade at the top seating area would make it more interesting.

[@terragardensca]

Agreed. Thank you for watching!

[@deekang6244]

There’s not enough terracing. One good rainstorm and it’s all going to slide down the hill. I would have added a few terraces to hold everything in place.

[@terragardensca]

We had some heavy rains in California this year and the soil and mulch has held up! Some areas the mulch slid down the hill but we put the mulch 3” thick so the soil is still covered. Thanks for watching 👍

[@carlosalbertoosilva8012]

Incrivel.lindo.maravilhoso!!!!!!!!!!

[@terragardensca]

Thank you!

[@simondalikeable9655]

Paint the fences with a near black grey and watch the yard pop!

[@terragardensca]

Great idea!

[@knowltonthomas]

cool job

[@terragardensca]

Thank you! Thanks so much for watching!

[@voight-kampff3611]

Stairway to heaven!

[@terragardensca]

☁️☁️🌁

[@mackinmall]

looks great. curious as to the ballpark it cost.

[@Johnny-rj9on]

What a great idea and execution. But that top space needs a hammock 😉

[@terragardensca]

Thank you! Agreed!

[@pinkakagreen]

the view!!!

[@michellespetner7316]

Nice!! 👏

[@terragardensca]

Thank you!

[@bullseye0112]

How are you installing wood terraces? Are they just being buried or how are they stabilized?

[@morganlitzky5292]

Hot tub up top would’ve been vibes.

[@terragardensca]

I agree!!!

[@andygirone7442]

I'd like to see this updated and see how its matured a bit.

[@terragardensca]

Will do! Its growing in nicely. I will post a video about it soon and will reply to this comment when I do. Thanks for watching!

[@andygirone7442]

@@terragardensca Thank you. You did a nice job. With it looking good new I know it will look better with mature landscaping

[@terragardensca]

@@andygirone7442 exactly! Thanks again for watching☺

[@Arielelian]

It looks very...rectangular. Lol. Granted, great craftsmanship! And it was likely what the homeowner wanted; however, on a design choice, I would've gone with a rounded, terraced hillside. You can do so much more with a terraced hillside, from garden beds, to picnic areas, to a kid's garden, etc. It'll also preserve the landscape better will less sloping for water runnoff.

[@phylliscojocaru5391]

So much upkeep...

[@salvadorzavala774]

I have a very similar slope (not renovated yet). This is AMAZING, and is exactly what I want. I'd love to know a ballpark price so I can start saving. I'm in Southern CA, however. Thank you for sharing!!

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much! Budget was 70-100k including subs. Best of luck with your project!

[@seriouslyreally5413]

Interesting to see the follow up for 2023. All that mulch on top of the weed barrier on that steep a slope will have washed down if you got the atmospheric river patterns they reported in the news this past spring. Even on average rainfall years I've seen mulch slide down lesser slopes. My neighbor has a 10 degree grade in his front yard and after paying a landscape company to do a similar design the mulch was a mess sliding down the bank after rainstorms and collecting at the base of the wall exposing the weed fabric. The shrubs planted along the slope had no effect at holding the the mulch on the fabric. The slope was so steep even the sprinkler irrigation ran off and didn't soak in very well The second year they had to tear the fabric out lay down a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds from sprouting and densely plant a ground cover to hold the soil to the slope . That slope needed a series of at least 4 to 6 more short planting terraces to level the run off. PS. Even if the client wanted to keep the natural slope as-is its your professional responsibility to advise them of the potential consequences of not terracing the upper slope.

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for your comment and feedback! The garden did well this past year with the heavy rains. We planted this slope densely so I think it is helping, and drip irrigation has a longer run time for deeper soaking, and that is helping too. Check out my short here: kzbin.infoC__KbMUG0kQ. There's a clip at the end that shows the garden from a few months ago. I want to make a longer update video once the garden is mature in a few more years. Thanks for watching!

[@piotrjasielski]

To be honest I prefer the before green version more.

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for watching and for your feedback!

[@T.Jetson]

Add garden pool and spa.

[@terragardensca]

😎

[@jackieraulerson2005]

Interesting

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for watching!

[@LBOST-zw4qt]

Magnifiques Très beau boulot !!! C'est quoi que vous mettez sur la bâche ? Des écorces ?

[@terragardensca]

merci beaucoup! oui, nous avons utilisé de l'écorce après avoir posé le tapis de mauvaises herbes

[@lfzhu586]

Looks good and expensive 😀

[@terragardensca]

😂 thank you! And agreed on both parts!

[@DestinyLabMusic]

Could you use netted pebble tile over a rounded surface like a berm or a sloped surface like this? When I put weed barrier down with regular gravel or bark chips over my slopes and berm mounds the gravel or bark chips always ends up rolling off exposing the black weed barrier over time. I am looking for a long term solution and so I want to get some of that kitchen backsplash netted pebble tile like that looks like cobblestone rock and basically tile it down with a rubberized flexible grout that will last long term on my berm mounds with holes around my rose bushes and plants to grow. Have you ever seen anything like this before?

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for your comment. Yes weed fabric/sheet mulching etc. causes mulch to fall off especially on sloped sites. Pebbles on a slope could work but I think a slope this steep like in the video you would have trouble keeping it in place. I have seen some geo-grid type stuff but don't have experience using it. baselok.com/geocell/ this looks like something that might work for you. If you wanted to go more green and rely on plant matter, I would recommend flexmse.com/green-retaining-wall/. You have the right idea though, but I think you need more depth for your yard and the flexible grout netting on your berms might be too thin. Hope this helps!

[@smshh33]

Very nice! Is the retaining wall cinder blocks (or similar) covered with cement/concrete? Thats pretty smart. Is it more cost effective than a full concrete pour?

[@terragardensca]

Hi! Thanks for watching. The old cinder block retaining wall was re-done with a stucco finish. Definitely cheaper then replacing the whole thing as the wall was in good condition. If a wall is failing, probably best to replace. Hope this answers your question!

[@MTech-od6hp]

Охуенчик! Кто-то делает сад, кто-то растит еду, кто-то просто делает приятный для глаз фон для жизни. Классный дворик!)

[@terragardensca]

Спасибо! и спасибо за просмотр, друг

[@funnyvids101]

This looks awesome - amazing work! How did you secure the wood terracing walls (left and right of stairs) to the dirt below? I'm trying to do a similar thing, using about 18 inches of rebar going down into the dirt, but I don't feel confident that it'll stay put over time and hold weight if I walk on the dirt above the wall. Thanks in advance!

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for watching! We did use rebar to secure the walls, I think we sunk ours in 2.5' though, and its hard to see in the video but the walls have wood returns as well, so we are getting strength from that. You can kind of see it in the thumbnail picture. If you are walking and putting a lot of force on the wall, maybe it would be worth installing some "deadman" posts to reinforce it as well. hope that helps and sorry for the late reply!

[@mollypitcher9380]

Very expensive but it’s equivalent to buying the lot next to your house. EXCELLENT video, thanks!

[@terragardensca]

thank you!

[@dtphonehome]

Does all the mulch not slide or get pulled down the slope during heavy rains, considering the grade?

[@terragardensca]

a bit yeah in some steep areas, but most of the mulch has stayed put even through our wet winters these last few years.

[@parallel38]

If this was in Australia, it would've cost 100k+

[@lindabell5534]

Watched to end really needs more plants to keep soil in place.

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for watching! Lots of the plants put in will grow bigger and fill out the space. It’s gonna look so nice in just a few years!

[@kathya1321]

I would have made the stairs winding it’s too straight and visually boring.. huge improvement nonetheless!

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for your feedback and thanks for watching!

[@mitchbosworth2404]

Looks great. I like the setting area at the top. How do you prevent the mulch eroding down the hill the first time it rains?

[@terragardensca]

Thank you! We had some heavy rains in California this year and the mulch has held up! Some areas the mulch slid down the hill but we put the mulch 3” thick so the soil is still covered. Thanks for watching 👍

[@zyang056]

It's nice but the bench will never get used.

[@k.fuentes7448]

@@zyang056 one needs a place to rest after all those stairs

[@catclark9488]

@@zyang056 Considering the client specifically asked for it so that they can admire the view, it will most definitely be used

[@user-gx2te1xc2w]

Fantastic, ye ye ye . . .

[@terragardensca]

Thanks!

[@gustav24-7-52]

That's awesome. I wish we could get something similar done with our yard. Can't get any companies around where we live to return a phone call or respond to an email.

[@terragardensca]

Sorry to hear 😞 thanks for watching and hope the right contractor comes your way!

[@jamez456]

Il be looking at needing similar works done soon, how much do you guys think something like this costs

[@terragardensca]

This project was around 80-100k (we’re in California)

[@nadajaklic3069]

Beautiful job

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much!

[@eatpumkin090]

What's on the cinder block wall to create that surface? Stucco?

[@terragardensca]

Yes it’s stucco with integral color :)

[@mostlyinterested1016]

Put me down in the "very impressed" column.

[@terragardensca]

Thank you!!!

[@DD-OO]

How did the mulch hold up? I have same project, slightly steep, laying heavy duty weed fabric and much.

[@terragardensca]

We had some heavy rains in California this year and the mulch has held up! Some areas the mulch slid down the hill but we put the mulch 3” thick so the soil is still covered. Thanks for watching 👍

[@DD-OO]

@@terragardensca nice to know, thanks for the reply!

[@Cheesychicken98]

Beaut!

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much!

[@betsymobbs8648]

Would be awesome to have a plant list in the description and the USDA Zone for folks to be aware. I want to know what those narrow & tall red leaf trees/shrubs are.

[@terragardensca]

This is great advice, thank you! I will do this soon.

[@terragardensca]

Here’s the plant you are asking about: www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=526

[@margolenney6032]

What an amazing transformation, only fault with the footage at times I wanted to slow it down.

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm still trying to figure out the best way to present our projects. I think for my next videos I want to have clips of the timelapse and then cut to the area we are working on in real time. Thanks again!

[@El_Jefe_Zamora]

I was wondering why you’d put a bench way up on top, until you showed the view while sitting on it. I get it now.

[@mary-annnstednielsen5300]

Beautiful

[@terragardensca]

Thank you so much! Thanks for watching

[@neotheoneness9363]

All that for some stairs that leads to a bench. Should’ve built a gazebo with a bbq area.

[@terragardensca]

yeah that would've been cool! thanks for watching!

[@nathanyamaha465]

What kind of coating did you put on the retaining wall?

[@terragardensca]

This was a smooth stucco finish.

[@johnoaks7593]

job looks good...almost got motion sickness with the video going around and around and around lol.

[@terragardensca]

Thank you! Still learning how to shoot video and edit 😝

[@stangoodvibes]

Sorry to sound negative but I would have pushed the retaining wall back to where the steep slope starts to maximise space behind the house. Oh and it seems a shame to spend all that time and money and STILL have to look at the fugly fence around the section. That would have been my first change

[@terragardensca]

thanks for your comment!

[@bullseye0112]

How do you build little retaining walls for a near 90 slope?

[@terragardensca]

hey yes this was a tricky one! These lateral pieces of wood you see in the video were mainly to hold some of the slope up, but the majority of the hillside will be stabilized with the plant roots once they mature. The redwood pieces you see are pinned to the ground using 3/4" rebar (as are the wood stairs). Hope this answers your question!

[@bullseye0112]

@@terragardensca So the lateral slats are just buried and possibly staked? What do you think is a good steep slope erosion plant for partial shade? Thank you for getting back to me

[@terragardensca]

@@bullseye0112 yea pinned to the ground with rebar. I’m not sure where you live, but you should look up “partial shade plants for erosion control” or something like that for your area. Best of luck with your project! Let me know if I can help with anything

[@davejones993]

Whats it cost to do something like this?

[@jjtrades7186]

It leaves me wondering what the purpose of the buried pvc pipe in the beginning was for. Was expecting to see some outlets or tread lights or something

[@terragardensca]

that was for our irrigation :)

[@MarcioCostacantor]

Bom dia! Pra mim é uma honra viu prestigiar seu trabalho, vamos sempre juntos somar e fortalecer nossos objetivos, Conto com você, eu já estou por aqui...

[@terragardensca]

Thank you for the comment, I appreciate it! Best of luck to you 🙏

[@nunyabiznesssssssss]

What was the approximate cost of this job?

[@terragardensca]

This project was 80-100k (California)

[@123mimiar]

This is really good. What is the total cost of this project

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for watching! Cost was around 80k total

[@hydrolock]

Looks nice, but keeping mulch on that hillside like that is going to be a pain.

[@terragardensca]

Thank you! We had some heavy rains in California this year and the mulch has held up! Some areas the mulch slid down the hill but we put the mulch 3” thick so the soil is still covered. Thanks for watching 👍

[@RileyFreeman8]

I would have liked to see how you did the wooden stairs from the side :( I need to do something like this

[@terragardensca]

I’ll record something soon for this 👍

[@RileyFreeman8]

@@terragardensca hey thanks, hopefully not just for me! I just bought a house in the past 2 years that has a backyard that desperately needs stairs... and can't afford to pay a contractor to do this after sinking all my cash into the down payment and a new deck, so it would be great to see because I have no idea how to make structurally sound stairs going down a dirt/mulch slope.

[@terragardensca]

We’re going to be working on it on our current project so I’ll grab some footage and will tag you 👍

[@terragardensca]

Thanks for the video idea! 🙌

[@RileyFreeman8]

@@terragardensca thank you! I really appreciate it

[@omstygomsty]

The upper patio was a great idea. After all that trouble why was it made so tiny.

[@terragardensca]

Yeah good point. The client wanted to hang out mostly on the lower level, but in that particular spot, you have great views of the SF bay. The slope was kind of dictating the size too, and we were trying to avoid pulling any permits and having to not build any large retaining wall.

[@thomassosa2957]

@@terragardensca “what are the setbacks?” Lol pulling permits is a pain.

[@terragardensca]

@@thomassosa2957 😂😂 indeed!

[@ecomasterster]

i think it looks amazing, another questions what is the cost :D

[@terragardensca]

Thank you!

[@livelifego9168]

This looks like a typical backyard slope in California (Bay Area).

[@terragardensca]

you know your backyard slopes ;)

[@Soul_Reaper9000]

Looks incredible, how much did this project cost? And how long did it take to do?

[@gregsmith6791]

no clue on the cost but I'm in RI (so not super familiar with CA rates) but I've been getting quotes for a much much much much much smaller block retaining wall and those have ranged anywhere from $7k to $16k. This job seems like every bit of $50-75k

[@terragardensca]

About 90k in total

[@user-lc9vl9ej7i]

Would you mind sharing how much it costed you for the entire project? I have similar backyard that I want to transform into something like this. Thanks.

[@terragardensca]

This project was 70-100k. Thanks for watching!

[@peterkoval]

I guessed 15-20k. I was way off!