- 1). Plan your layout so that you have a point of interest at both the top of the hill and the bottom. Create a vantage point at the top, such as a garden bench. At the bottom place another focal point by installing a pond or a patio. Knowing what is at the top and bottom will help you to decide what kind of plants to use at the different levels of your hillside.
- 2). Start planting at the top of the hill and work toward the bottom. It is easiest if you take everything you will need with you all at once, so that you don't need to go back down the hill to get tools or plants. Have a "supply center" at several handy places on the hillside, such as at the top, middle and near the bottom. Place plants, fertilizer and any extra soil at each of these locations.
- 3). Dig a hole for your first plant. It is important that the hole be deep enough on the downhill side to cover all but the top inch of the plant's root ball. Set the plant in the hole to check that it is the proper depth before continuing.
- 4). Place excess soil from the excavation on the downhill side of the hole. Make a small berm from this soil, packing it down tightly, so that the planting site is level. This will help to keep water around the plant and keep the planting stable.
- 5). Set the plant in the hole, making sure that the level of the root ball is correct, extending about 1 inch above the soil. Adjust the plant so that it is pointing straight up and is not angled toward the top or bottom of the hill.
- 6). Fill in the hole with some of the soil you removed while digging. If it needs it, add fertilizer or compost to enrich the soil.
- 7). Water gently, enough to thoroughly soak the plant and it roots. Be careful not to wash any of the soil away from the roots or berm.
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