3 Ways Your Landscaping Can Reduce Soil Erosion
Posted on: 17 October 2017
For some people, having a beautiful lawn is very important. Nice landscaping adds both aesthetic value and increases the equity in your home. If your house is situated on a sloping lot, however, landscaping becomes more than just a way to make your lawn look pretty. A sloping lot left untended can lead to soil erosion, which can cause other problems. Here are three ideas to consider.
Install A Retaining Wall
A retaining wall is aptly named as it retains both soil and water, if desired. They are usually strategically placed at either the bottom of a hill, or a hillside will be cut into, with a retaining wall placed around the cut. This will then be backfilled, creating a level surface for landscaping and reducing soil erosion. A retaining wall can be built with interlocking stones, much like paving stones for a pathway, wood timbers, concrete, or large rocks.
Install A French Drain
A French drain is a trench that is dug leading away from your home's foundation. It is also useful to install a French drain at the bottom of a retaining wall to relieve pressure and divert the water where you want it to go, such as a small pond or into a larger drain culvert. A French drain consists of a sloped trench that is typically lined with gravel and a perforated pipe. It may be covered with additional gravel or a cover and then soil and grass, or it may just be left open.
When they are placed under a rainspout, the excess water runs down and through the pipe, slowly diffusing into the ground. This keeps it away from your foundation, and it keeps it away from your soil. A French drain can also be directed to an area of your yard that has landscaping with high water needs.
Plant Shrubbery
Grass is insufficient at preventing erosion. The roots of grass are relatively shallow compared to other plants. Low-growing bushes and shrubs as well as other groundcover plants, such as ornamental creeping thyme, are better at establishing deep roots that will hold the soil in place. Consult with your landscaper to determine which plants would grow best in each zone. This can vary depending on your climate as well as how wet or dry each area of your yard is. Ideally, you want native plants that have an absorbent root system.
It's best if your entire lawn is factored into the equation on what kind of landscaping is best, not just the sloped areas. This will ensure not only a beautiful lawn, but healthy soil as well. Check out sites like http://www.tmlandscapedesign.com for more information.
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