Hi, A slope like this looks like it was made for a ground cover of some type. Have you considered varieties of Vinca minor, Ajuga reptens, or Pachysandra terminalis? Most ground covers can be border line invasive, but since this is a bare slope, they would hopefully aid in preventing erosion, and green things up a bit. Some other ground covers I've run across are Euonymous, lamium, and goutweed. depending on your light requirements and zone, they might work well for you. Goos luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Examples of groundcovers

That's your front entry? How do you (or visitors) get to the steps? Are there more steps from the drive we don't see or do you just have to climb up the bank? Truthfully, I'm not sure why I am even asking the questions - regardless of the answers, the situation seriously requires some help and I doubt this is safely in the realm of a DYI project. Looks like some safety and liability issues may be present as well that should be addressed. I'd look into some design/build firms in your area and get some bids on leveling and retaining the slope and creating a more gracious, welcoming and clearly defined entry way. And some plantings to soften the edges and provide color and interest. Prepare to pay for this service - grading, retaining and hardscaping are not inexpensive landscaping activities. Your entry is the first thing visitors (and you) see of your home and first impressions carry a lot of weight. Devoting some effort and dollars to improving this impression will make a big difference in your home's appearance and could add substantially to its value. And it will make you feel good about coming home everyday :-))

I second Yardvaark's comment on the plants on the side of the house near the AC. They are absolutely too close to the wall. Whenever you buy plants pay attention to the mature heights and widths. If a plant will be 5 ft wide at maturity, plant it at least 2 1/2 ft from a wall or fence, otherwise it will lean. Fill in with annuals and perennials while it's still small. And while I agree with screening the AC, be sure to leave room for air flow around the unit. Crowding it with greenery will interfere with its efficiency. Adding trellis to the open space beneath the porch is the quickest way to cover that void. See the picture below. You could paint it to blend with the brick or match the house color to make it stand out.The terraced area off the back deck was an attempt to add level space for a sitting area. If it seems rocky it is likely because they put down gravel. Consider putting down pavers so the area can be used more often. The end of this terrace where the path goes down the hill looks like a good place for a fire pit if that interests you. The few shrubs along that terrace edge are a good idea to keep people from falling over the edge. Add more evergreen shrubs to make it safer.

Some thoughts on two projects: One: What is the most practical path from the point of origin at the house to get to your dock -- the path you now use ? Would that path begin at the corner of the house closest to the yard toys -- either a straight or curved path -- until you get to the toys and then from the toys beyond them to the dock? That walk path is where you should begin to create dirt steps about 4'-6' wide by using railroad ties strategically placed across the path as temporary small retaining walls to create level or gently sloping "steps" between the rail road ties -- digging to throw dirt above or below the railroad ties as needed. As you walk, you might take two or three steps on each dirt step you create. As you use the dirt steps you can see what steps work best and what steps need to be adjusted before you invest in blocks or stone for more permanent retaining walls for your grass covered dirt steps). Two: you might consider putting a retaining wall all along the lower point of the yard where you usually cease to mow -- below the hill. Literally dig a deep ditch for a footing/foundation along that line above which you cannot safely mow. You could then put rebar in place and have concrete poured into the ditch (BEFORE before you remove the dirt from below the ditch/concrete wall so the sides of the ditch can serve as a form for your retaining wall) -- before you throw any that dirt from below the ditch to above it. Once your poured concrete has set up, you can add a bock wall atop it, then begin to remove the dirt from below the concrete retaining wall to above the concrete retaining wall, adding other layers of concrete blocks to the wall as you are able to reach it from either above or below until you've achieved a reasonably level area both above and below the wall. You could then face the poured concrete with stone or brick if you choose.. DO make sure the bottom of the ditch you dig is lower that the ground level you want for the lower flatter area below the poured concrete retaining wall.. A ditch dug with a back hoe or other equipment will be wider that what you might dig by hand and take more concrete to fill but with the wider concrete wall you're pouring, you're building strength into your retaining wall. Do post some after pics to show us what you've done.