Hillside landscapes are one of the largest challenges a property owner can face. Designing the landscape to look beautiful while controlling erosion and drainage can be one of the hardest things to do - and one of the most expensive. With proper planning and research you can save money, control erosion and drainage and create a hillside landscape that will last for years.
Some of the most common methods used for hillside landscaping incorporate rock walls, decks, retaining walls and plants. In your design you can choose to use any number of these methods to create your perfect landscape. We will touch base on each of the methods and explain what each can offer to your hillside landscape.
Retaining walls are some of the most common methods of creating a pleasant landscape on a hillside that needs erosion control. Retaining walls can be made of rock, brick, wood and even PVC or plastic. The first thing you should do is research and decide on how to best place your retaining walls. You will need to know how they will affect drainage patterns on the hillside. You will also need to understand whether the positions will help prevent and stop erosion or increase it. You will need to keep in mind placing your retaining walls one way might stop erosion in that area but could cause increased erosion and damage in another area that otherwise would not be a problem. It is highly recommended that you consult a professional landscaper or engineer to assist you in the layout and design of your retaining walls. With their help you will be able to not only prevent or stop current erosion but insure your design does not change or cause problems for other areas.
Plants are another method of creating an erosion free hillside landscape. Beside helping to hold the ground in place, plants can also help give beauty to an area that otherwise might be bare. Like standard landscape designs, plant selection is one of the most important aspects of your hillside landscape design. You will need to select plants not only for their look but for their ability to withstand erosion and harsher growth locations. With proper plant selection, you can turn your hillside into a plush landscape that compliments you and your home.
Decks are another common method of use in hillside and sloped landscapes. In some areas building a deck can be beneficial in hiding areas that are not convenient to landscape using other methods. Decks can be designed to also contour to the natural layout of the land thereby enhancing the beauty of an area that might otherwise be unusable and unsightly to look at. As with other landscaping measures, you should carefully plan the layout and design of your deck. Improperly designed and placed decks can increase erosion and in some cases be the source of dangerous situations if they are not mounted or anchored properly, especially on steeper slopes.
Some of the most successful hillside and sloped landscapes incorporate some of all the different landscaping methods utilized for these types of areas. By carefully planning each zone of your area, you can minimize additional impact to erosion and drainage of an area and in many cases reclaim an area that would otherwise be unusable. If you have an area that is already prone to hard erosion, proper landscaping can be the method of solving and repairing an area that would otherwise continue to degrade in time.
Imagine a beautiful landscape with a multitude of trees and color plants anchored by a well designed deck where you can relax and enjoy the sunset. With proper care and planning you can turn that otherwise plain hillside or slope into the sunset of your dreams.
Some of the most common methods used for hillside landscaping incorporate rock walls, decks, retaining walls and plants. In your design you can choose to use any number of these methods to create your perfect landscape. We will touch base on each of the methods and explain what each can offer to your hillside landscape.
Retaining walls are some of the most common methods of creating a pleasant landscape on a hillside that needs erosion control. Retaining walls can be made of rock, brick, wood and even PVC or plastic. The first thing you should do is research and decide on how to best place your retaining walls. You will need to know how they will affect drainage patterns on the hillside. You will also need to understand whether the positions will help prevent and stop erosion or increase it. You will need to keep in mind placing your retaining walls one way might stop erosion in that area but could cause increased erosion and damage in another area that otherwise would not be a problem. It is highly recommended that you consult a professional landscaper or engineer to assist you in the layout and design of your retaining walls. With their help you will be able to not only prevent or stop current erosion but insure your design does not change or cause problems for other areas.
Plants are another method of creating an erosion free hillside landscape. Beside helping to hold the ground in place, plants can also help give beauty to an area that otherwise might be bare. Like standard landscape designs, plant selection is one of the most important aspects of your hillside landscape design. You will need to select plants not only for their look but for their ability to withstand erosion and harsher growth locations. With proper plant selection, you can turn your hillside into a plush landscape that compliments you and your home.
Decks are another common method of use in hillside and sloped landscapes. In some areas building a deck can be beneficial in hiding areas that are not convenient to landscape using other methods. Decks can be designed to also contour to the natural layout of the land thereby enhancing the beauty of an area that might otherwise be unusable and unsightly to look at. As with other landscaping measures, you should carefully plan the layout and design of your deck. Improperly designed and placed decks can increase erosion and in some cases be the source of dangerous situations if they are not mounted or anchored properly, especially on steeper slopes.
Some of the most successful hillside and sloped landscapes incorporate some of all the different landscaping methods utilized for these types of areas. By carefully planning each zone of your area, you can minimize additional impact to erosion and drainage of an area and in many cases reclaim an area that would otherwise be unusable. If you have an area that is already prone to hard erosion, proper landscaping can be the method of solving and repairing an area that would otherwise continue to degrade in time.
Imagine a beautiful landscape with a multitude of trees and color plants anchored by a well designed deck where you can relax and enjoy the sunset. With proper care and planning you can turn that otherwise plain hillside or slope into the sunset of your dreams.
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