Walls can be used to wonderfully compensate for height differences in the garden and at the same time protect them against slipping. Various materials are available for this, so that the retaining wall can be perfectly coordinated with the garden design. You can find out what you need to consider when building a garden wall on a slope and how to proceed in this guide article.
Which materials are suitable?
Embankments can be done with:
- Drystone walls,
- Concrete walls,
- Gabions,
- Planting stones,
- Wooden or concrete palisades
be attached. Skillfully planned planting provides additional support and gives the hillside garden its typical flair.
How should a retaining wall be constructed?
If the garden wall is to protect an embankment from erosion or gravity, it must be extremely stable. It is therefore advisable to seek professional advice if the height is one hundred centimeters high.
From a height of two meters it is even legally required to consult a structural engineer. You should also find out whether you need to obtain a building permit before creating the slope garden.
Stabilization of the slope
If the gradient of the embankment is less than seven degrees, it is sufficient to secure the slope by planting deep-rooted plants such as buddleia or broom.
If there are larger differences in height, you need a professional concrete foundation, as the garden wall has to absorb enormous pressure. A so-called gravity wall is often necessary, which should be created by an expert.
This garden wall must remain stable even during heavy rains with a lot of seepage water. This requires backfilling with gravel and, depending on the soil conditions, good drainage. It is therefore essential that you seek advice from a specialist.
Planting rings for securing slopes
Planting stones are stones cast from concrete that are open at the top and bottom and have an indentation for fastening to a slope. This variant of the garden wall fights a little against the outdated image. However, smaller embankments can be easily stabilized with this self-built garden wall.
Procedure:
After the foundation has been laid, the stones are stacked slightly backwards from row to row. This gives them the required stability. The front part of the stones remains open and is filled with earth. The wall is then planted with cushion perennials or herbs.
Tip
If you only need to secure a small embankment, a natural stone wall is ideal. This not only underlines the natural flair of the garden, it is also a habitat for many beneficial insects such as bumblebees, wild bees and lizards.
