![]() After all, you’re just leveling and stair-stepping your garden for maximum working area. ![]() In technicality, these multi-level plots are another variation on raised gardens. But for the best results, the addition of some raised structures can really enhance your environment. Source: bluekdesign Terraced GardensĪ terraced garden style can be done with or without raised beds. Building a retaining wall can open up quite a lot of room for your future garden! A raised bed can be built separate from or as part of a retaining wall. ![]() Take time planning out your retaining wall in advance and make sure you allow for plenty of room between that and your future gardening space. Rebar or heavy lumber posts will add even more stability. Often the fence panel will have runners that extend out into the upper slope as well to ensure that the fence stays stationary. Wooden retaining walls are often much thinner, but usually have a moisture barrier directly against the soil, then a heavily reinforced fence panel against that. Between the inner wall and the hillside, you’ll need to add some gravel to allow excess water to drain and to help stabilize the soil. Typically, these walls will be constructed of two layers: one which leans inward towards the slope, and a secondary wall that acts as the front surface you’ll see. A very steep grade should use concrete block, while a shallower one may be able to be held back with wood.Ī good concrete retaining wall can easily be 24” to 28” thick to ensure it can handle the weight of the hillside behind it. ![]() Both concrete block and wood are options depending on the steepness of your grade. This is especially true if you’ll be building a concrete wall, as you don’t want it to sink into the soil underneath it! Take time to make sure it’ll be on even, secure footing now, or you’ll be rebuilding it again later.Īfter the soil is stable, it’s time to build your wall. Once the soil is out of the way, you may need to remove a little more soil to add leveling sand and tamp it down for a good base for your wall. You’ll likely need to remove quite a bit of soil to make a level surface. Leave enough room for both the raised bed and your intended reinforcement wall, plus additional room if you want to access the side of the bed closest to the reinforcement. You’ll need to carve out the side of the hill to make a level, stepped location for your raised beds. This should be done during a time when rain is not likely to interrupt your work, as that way you don’t run the risk of erosion while halfway through your project! The easiest method of reinforcement is by building retaining walls or reinforcing fencing to hold back the hillside. Reinforcing your steeper hillsides will help you to protect your beds from damage as well as protecting the rest of your yard from flooding. Since water flows downhill and carries dirt and debris with it, erosion could be a major factor with a heavily-sloped surface. If your hill near where you’d like your beds to be is a steep slope, it can seem daunting to get everything set into motion. Source: hardworkinghippy Reinforcing A Steep Hillside Gardening on a slope can be a bit of a challenge in the best of times, so when you have the option of leveling things out, you should take it! Your raised garden bed will perform better overall. You can end up with some rather severe erosion issues if you don’t level off your beds.įinally, it’s a lot easier to work on a level surface. Having level beds ensures the even distribution of fertilizers and other amendments you add to your soil.Īs rain hits a non-level raised bed, another thing can be unevenly distributed: your growing medium itself. Similarly, nutrients dissolved in the water will flow to the lowest point. You want your bed to have an even distribution of soil moisture, so a level bed is best for that. Applying water on a slope means the top is more likely to dry out before the bottom of the slope does. In a level garden bed, watering will be easier. Plants grow on slopes naturally, after all! But a level raised bed can help with many different things. Technically speaking, a raised bed does not absolutely need to be level. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |