In matters of gardening and landscaping, there’s more to consider besides what to plant and where. Since erosion is always a possibility, it’s important to think about building retaining walls as well. They’re indispensable to a healthy and thriving landscape for your property, no matter what you’re growing. 

Why Erosion Is Problematic for Landscaping 

In landscaping, erosion can remove the soil that your plants need to stabilize themselves and absorb nutrients. If you use a storm drain to remove wastewater from your landscape, you may also find that erosion clogs them with sediment, creating a backlog that could harm your yard. These problems are especially prominent in sloped areas, where gravity helps wind and water easily transport soil elsewhere. 

How Retaining Walls Prevent Erosion 

Retaining walls, typically made from stone, wood, steel, or precast concrete, are fashioned to hold soil. Sometimes, they’re built at various heights, like a terrace of small gardens.

They slow the process of erosion by forcing the wind and water to travel along different levels of elevation, depriving them of a straight and easy shot down a steep slope. The idea is that adding barriers to the path helps the soil remain where it’s placed, allowing the plants they hold to grow. 

How to Increase Their Effectiveness

Ensure the base of your retaining wall is below the ground, so it can support the rest of the levels. In most cases, the whole wall only needs to be three to four feet high, and each level should measure roughly four to six inches per foot of the slope’s rise.

Include gravel in the soil that you place on each level, also known as backfill, to encourage good drainage for the water. Alternatively, have weep holes built into the walls, or install a perforated pipe within the backfill on the bottom level. With strong and well-drained retaining walls, you control erosion and keep your landscape intact. 

 
You can get professional help building retaining walls by contacting Olson Precast Concrete in West Plains, MO. Though they’ve been experts in the concrete construction industry for more than 25 years, they can also provide the agricultural supplies you may need to cultivate the gardens you want to see within your retaining walls. To find out more about their products and services, call (417) 256-1500 or message them online.