Tips for terraforming and base building

Im planning on making a new base in this meadows biome here as its in between the swamp, the dark forest and the mountains, making plenty of the materials i need be close by. And I want to flatten the terrain, are there any fast ways to terraform the terrain in valheim? Or do I just have to suck it up and use the pickax and the hoe?

Would also welcome any tips on building a long term base, im currently beginning to use iron equipment. But I wanted to set up a base closer to a swamp first since my current base requires i sail for ten minutes at least, depending on the wind. To transport the iron from the nearest swamp i found.