Living retaining walls are constructed with soil and sand filled bags that are stacked and planted with native grases and shrubs. As the root zones grow deeper and deeper into the soil bank, they anchor and retain naturally allowing the vegetation to provide erosion control and natural beauty to your landscape.
These systems are perfect for shoreline stabilization (DNR friendly) and in landscapes that need a softer look than blocks and rocks. Using both a living wall in combination with hard products can create a nice landscaped wall.
Other benefits of living walls are habitat and food for birds, butterflies, bees and wildlife.
We live in the land of 10,000 lakes, these systems are a great benefit to us and fit in beautifully with our environment.
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Permeable pavements are on the rise and for a good reason.
- Runoff of storm water and melting snow containing sediments and pollutants flows across parking lots, sidewalks, streets and driveways and deposits into storm sewers and then into lakes and streams causing problems for the lakes and streams by damaging water quality and habitats.
- Permeable pavements allow water to flow through the surface collecting in a matrix of graded stone. The water is then recharged into the ground or captured and delivered to sediment ponds or other means of filtration. Other options are holding tanks with overflows; this water can be used to supply irrigation systems for residential and commercial sites.
- Types of permeable pavements include permeable asphalt, concrete, vegetative plastic grid systems, and pavers.
- Finally, design and installation of materials is crucial for performance.
Landscape maintenance is not just cutting the lawn once a week!
As a landscape installer, I have seen some expensive projects out of control 5 to 10 years after installation. People need to maintain their perennials, shrubs,trees, mulch, edger, water features etc. to protect their investment.
Once a garden or complete landscape project is installed, either the homeowner or a landscape contractor specializing in maintaining landscapes should be utilized.
If maintenance is done on a yearly basis, the landscape will be healthy and attractive those 5 to 10 yearsa later and a complete renovation can be avoided.
Starting a maintenance program right away limits labor invested because a snip here and there, two or three times a year is generally all that’s needed.
Starting to reclaim a landscape 5 to 10 years after installation – well that’s another story.
Self education, training and contractor servivces are money and time well spent.
By the way, we are one of those contractors who can help educate or provide those services!
- When we arrive home from an evening outing, pull into the driveway, and see a softly lit and highlighted landscape, it has a calming effect on us.
- The value of a well designed and installed low voltage system extends the enjoyment of the landscape into the dark hours which forms a new perspective, provides security, and provides enjoyment for you, your neighbors and the community. For fun, install colored lenses during the holidays.
- Remember, nightscaping is not what the fixture looks like, it’s the effect it creates!
- Wet humid weather can have adverse effects on turf, ornamentals, perennials, and vegetables
- Be proactive in your initial planting decisions and locate gardens in a space that has good air movement, sunlight and elevation to help prevent fungal issues
- If you have a low planting site, locate the plants not as close to each other, elevate the beds, create air movement
Designing a landscape or a garden?
Whatever you are designing or have a desire to create, the big picture needs to be considered even if it is only a small garden or patio.
How is this design going to relate to the:
- property
- drainage
- view lines
- site flow
- movement of people
- maintenance
- sunlight-shade
- shape relation
Tunnel vision usually fails!
When building a retaining wall, there’s a simple thought that goes through everyone’s head. “Hey, I need a retaining wall. I’ll just go over to the lumberyard and pick up some of those retaining wall blocks, stack them up and bingo, instant retaining wall. After all, they’re called retaining wall blocks, aren’t they?”
In theory, this is true. But there is so much more that goes into building a wall that will last a lifetime. Retaining walls are made up of many different components which all need to work together as one for the wall to last.
Here is a quick list of components you may need to consider:
- Dimensions
- Drainage
- Soil reinforcement
- Compaction
- Slope of the terrain behind (or in front) of the wall
- And of course, the most important part, aesthetics
With a little homework before building your retaining wall, you can create something that will last for years to come.
