Rotting Timber Tiered Beds on Steep Bank: Remove & Plant, or Build Proper Wall

Question: 9 steps to back deck; 4 timber tiered beds (10 yrs old) rotting, bottom collapsed. Widow on fixed income—affordable fix?

Answer: Remove Timbers; Plant Slope or Build Durable Wall

Timbers are light, poorly treated for retaining walls. Rotting means rest will fail soon. Best: remove timbers, let unmowed grass, groundcover, or chosen plants stabilize slope—may be all you need.

Don't use rotten timbers as mulch (chemical leaching, insect risk). If structure needed, use railroad ties, masonry, or concrete. Cheaper alternatives: reinforcement mesh, crib structures.

Note: A contractor suggested sawzall-replacing bottom timbers for 10 more years. Expert disagrees—patching rotted wood wastes money; full replacement or removal is wiser.

—Mark Harshman | mahdrafting.com