Does your Mendham, NJ outdoor area suit your lifestyle? Are there terrain issues that stand in the way of how you envision using your outdoor spaces? If so, it might be time to consider a tried and true remedy which is a stone retaining wall with enticing plantings. Whether you need to solve a slope problem or want more privacy when you spend time on the patio, retaining walls can handle those problems and many others, too.
Retaining Walls for Erosion Control
Sloping areas are particularly vulnerable to erosion due to the force of gravity and rainwater runoff. Retaining walls act as barriers, preventing soil from slipping down slopes and maintaining the integrity of the landscape. They are important in preventing soil erosion on slopes, hillsides, or areas with unstable soil by holding back soil and preventing it from washing away during heavy rainfall or irrigation.
Retaining Walls for Sloped Terrain
When dealing with sloping or uneven terrain, retaining walls can be used to create level areas for building, gardening, or other activities, making it possible to use space that would otherwise be unusable. They are invaluable for providing both functional and aesthetic benefits.
Proper drainage is crucial on sloped terrain to prevent waterlogging and erosion. Retaining walls can help to direct water flow away from structures and prevent it from pooling in areas that are prone to erosion. When designed and constructed properly, retaining walls can transform sloped properties into functional and lovely outdoor spaces.
Related: Got a Chatham Township, NJ Landscape Design Needing More Definition? Choose a Stone Retaining Wall
Retaining Walls for Structural Support
Retaining walls provide structural support and stability to prevent the collapse of soil or other materials onto structures or property below. Uncontrolled water flow can significantly increase the risk of slope failure and affect the structures on the property. Retaining walls help to channel and redirect water flow, reducing its erosive power and preventing it from destabilizing the slope.
Retaining Walls for Increased Privacy
Retaining walls are ideal for adding privacy and coziness to your patio, outdoor dining space, or fire feature so that when you spend time there, you will be out of view of neighbors. Combining a retaining wall with a privacy fence also shields outdoor spaces form view.
The retaining wall can provide a solid foundation for a fence that sits atop the wall. This approach is suitable for properties with a gradual slope or where the retaining wall is not high enough to accommodate the desired fence height.
Retaining walls can be constructed from various materials, including concrete, stone, or brick, and can be complemented by different fencing materials, such as wood, metal, or vinyl, allowing for a cohesive and visually appealing boundary solution.
Landscaping and Plantings for Retaining Walls
A mix of plantings and shrub heights adds visual interest and creates a layered effect. Taller plants, such as small trees or shrubs, can provide a backdrop for smaller plants, while ground covers can soften the edges of the wall and prevent erosion.
Flowering perennials add color and fragrance to the landscape, attracting pollinators and enhancing the overall aesthetic. Choose flowering plants that bloom at different times of the year to provide continuous color throughout the growing season. Trailing plants, such as ivy, creeping phlox, or vinca, can cascade down the wall, further softening the wall texture and the vertical surface.