Uphill Patio Options/Suggestions

We're planning on a PSP home on a east facing slope. Our problem is that if we want to plant on the terraces of the uphill patio, that there will be very little sunlight for those plants.

We thought about the "Ships Plow" uphill patio method proscribed by Mike Oehlar for bomb shelters. This might give more light for the north side of the patio, but nothing for the south side. (Maybe a mushroom farm?)

What would be your suggestions as to what my options are?

Should I wait for Paul's passive underground greenhouse to come out? I was hoping to expand into the patio with a greenhouse when/if I obtain the funds.

Oh, one minor thing I failed to add is the series of swales I'm wanting to put uphill from my home. Hopefully this won't cause a landslide or anything. But it would be pretty cool if we could have a spring on the terraces of the uphill patio.

Another question I would hope to address is: how might I avert disaster by dirt work/engineering?

Preferably dirt work. I'm pretty ambitious, hoping to get a tech level 0 or 1 homestead.