How​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ We Helped a Perry Hall Family Turn a Tricky Slope Into Their Favorite Hangout

 

If you are a longtime resident Landscaper in Perry Hall, MD, you must be familiar with at least one family that has a backyard they love to hate. This backyard looks amazing from the inside of the house but as soon as you go out, you realize that the ground slopes steeply, the lawn is damp for half of the year, and if you want to put a chair down, you will always be sliding downhill.

We have encountered this incident more times than I could count. Our local landscape is not flat and flawless like you see in the catalogs; it has dips, slopes, and runoff patterns which are just the nature of the place. However, when a yard is mostly a slope, it starts to look like an issue of wasted space.

That was precisely the case with the Martins, a family that moved to Perry Hall about five years ago. And their story might be similar to yours.

A Backyard They Didn’t Know How to Use

The Martins’ house is located close to Honeygo Boulevard—quite typical for Perry Hall: a quiet road, nice neighbors, and a yard with a lot of potentials. The trouble was that the entire backyard was sloping away from the house.

Maybe you have come across this situation before: You go outside and instead of walking straight, your body tilts as if it is getting ready for a ski run.

The slope caused two major problems:

1. There was no flat area for sitting

2. Water flowed directly to the fence and washed the soil away

What was worse, when their children tried to play ball, everything just rolled downhill. It became their running joke, but it also meant that the yard was not being used for what they wanted—backyard dinners, playtime, and weekend relaxation.

The Hidden Issue: Drainage

One thing that you learn very quickly here in Maryland is that our weather can change drastically. In spring and summer, storms become loud and heavy. And when rain falls on a sloped yard, it does not stay there. That is what the Martins’ yard was doing.

The grass nearest the patio was kept wet and soggy for days after a storm. Their dog would go out, run around, and then come back with muddy paws. Their youngest son slipped during a rainy afternoon, which eventually led them to seek assistance.

We came after a heavy spring rain and observed the yard doing its thing. The water was flowing rapidly from the top, accumulating behind the fence, and staying there. That accumulation was gradually moving soil and suffocating their grass with a lack of oxygen—so it looked patchy, of course.

By then, it was obvious: If we did not deal with the water first, a patio wouldn’t solve the problem.

Finding the Right Approach

Many homeowners hearing the words "drainage problem" imagine a situation that involves heavy machinery, upheaval of the whole yard, and costly systems.

Truthfully? In some instances, it is. However, most times it is about managing the water rather than completely stopping it.

Regarding the Martins, we didn’t require a complex system. We had to:

1. Change the grading

2. Produce a flat, usable area

3. Allow the leftover slope to serve as a natural water guide

We went over the possibilities—raised decks, terraced walls, complete regrading—but they preferred the concept of a comfortable patio which was located just off the back door.

Building the Patio: Working With the Land

Here is the point where things got interesting. Rather than cutting into the hill and radically changing the yard, we constructed a retaining wall that enabled us to produce a level patio surface.

Why was this important?

1. It allowed the design to be more natural

2. It lowered both labor and material costs

3. It saved the majority of the yard’s existing green space

The patio was “the anchor point,” with just enough structure to allow the rest of the yard to flow around it.

We installed pavers—nothing showy, just earthy colors that the Martins’ siding would complement. They wanted something that required little work because they did not have time to power-wash or stain on a regular basis.

Pavers turned out to be a good decision because:

1. They are water-resistant

2. They can be formed to accommodate a difficult slope

3. They remain attractive throughout the year

Smart Drainage = Invisible Success

This is the part the majority of homeowners are not aware of but always acknowledge later.

We formed a gentle slope close to the patio so that rainwater would naturally flow away from the seating area. Below the surface, we put layers of gravel and soil to help water soak in instead of pool.

There are no drains in the center of the patio. No large pipes crossing the lawn.

Just simple, efficient redirection.

It seemed to the Martins as if nothing was done. But when the very first storm came, water flowed exactly where it was supposed to—away.

Adding Personality With Plants

The Martins at first thought that they would just “get over the slope” after the patio but once the hard part was behind them, we discussed planting some along the border.

Nothing elaborate—just tough plants that could withstand Perry Hall’s humid and unpredictable winters without being demanding.

We recommended the combination:

1. Shrubs for framework

2. Perennials for liveliness

3. Mulch to help with water retention

They were very much surprised by how much more “complete” their yard became with just that little touch. Also, the plants helped to stabilize the soil and reduce runoff.

The Martins Are Coming (And You Might, Too)

1. You Don’t Need a Flat Yard to Have a Beautiful Space

With the help of a few smart design decisions, a sloped yard can still be turned into an outdoor hangout.

2. Drainage Comes First

The foundation for everything else lies in water having a predictable path—if not, patios can settle, lawns can drown and plants can suffer.

3. Small Changes Can Make a Huge Difference

Not always is the main issue that everything should be completely redone. It is about resolving the problem that causes the most frustration.

4. Think About How You’ll Use the Space

The Martins did not require a massive outdoor kitchen—they only needed a place for grilling, sitting, and watching their kids play. Begin from there.

5. Build in Stages

They had a patio at the start. The following year, they plan on installing lighting and perhaps a fire pit. You are not allowed to finish everything in one go.

Everyday Life In Their New Space

This is the finest part.

A few weeks after the completion, the Martins sent us a photo of their new patio at sunset—kids reading on a blanket, mom tending to a planter, dad grilling dinner.

It was not a magazine shoot. It was not “perfect.”

It was authentic. It was them, actually using their yard.

At present, they dine outdoors a few times a week when the weather is good. Their dog is no longer bringing mud into the house. Their kids play catch without disappearing down the slope.

The yard didn’t get bigger—but it feels that way.

What This Means for You

By gazing out at your own backyard, if you are wondering what to do with that slope, I just want you to convey this: Most probably, it is much more manageable than you would think.

Just a few small changes—smart grading, a layered layout, choosing the right materials—are enough to open up a space that you will really want to spend your time in.

It is not necessary for you to have a perfectly flat yard. There is no need to tear everything out. The only thing you need is a plan that suits your life, your yard, and the Perry Hall climate.

We have both lived and worked here long enough to be acquainted with the peculiarities—sticky clay soil, sudden summer storms, and winters that can change from mild to icy without giving any warning. It is these factors that make all the difference when you design while taking them into consideration.

And ultimately, your outdoor space should be the one to make life easier, not harder.

If you ever want to chat about your yard—even if it’s just to brainstorm—think of us as the neighbors who are crazy about plants, stone, dirt, and helping people get the most out of what they already ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌have.