Search over 1.4 million articles by over 600 experts
  1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Landscaping

More from About.com

Browse Topics A-Z

Book on Landscape Terracing - Building Garden Terraces

About.com Rating four out of Five

By David Beaulieu, About.com

The Bottom Line

The author distinguishes between a number of terracing models, based on their function or location on the landscape. His photos of garden terraces will inspire readers to build terraces of their own.
Pros
  • Beautiful photos of terracing.
  • Useful distinctions between various terrace types.
Cons
  • Minimal discussion of design considerations.

Description

  • What this book is not: a guide to building retaining walls.
  • What this book is: a guide to landscape terracing, or garden terraces.
  • What landscape terracing is good for: aesthetics and efficient use of space....
  • Aesthetically, terraces can take a flat stretch of land and break it up, for visual interest....
  • Or terracing can turn an unusable slope into usable land, suitable for flower gardens.
  • Garden terraces can also hide house foundations, functioning like foundation plantings of shrubs.
  • Terraces can later be planted with flowers, functioning like raised garden beds.

Guide Review - Book on Landscape Terracing - Building Garden Terraces

Paul Nordmark's book, "Inspirational Terracing," is a fine source of ideas for how terraces can turn a barren landscape into an Eden. A picture is worth 1000 words, and this book says a mouthful about the versatility of garden terraces. It’s packed with thought-provoking pictures, including before and after photos. Building a garden terrace is, by its very nature, a hands-on endeavor, however; much is left to your own “inspiration.” But if you have a knack for design and are used to the planning and problem-solving demanded by hardscape projects, Nordmark's stunning photos alone will be enough to put you on the right track.
  1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Landscaping
  4. Help for Beginners
  5. Books on Landscaping
  6. Garden Terracing

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.