How to stabilise soil bank (about 1:5ft high)

Bartoni79

Hi,
Im leveling my garden and I’ve been left with a slope/ bank about 1-1.25 ft high and 1 ft - 1.5ft in width. The slope is about 13m running the length of my garden. The top of the slope is grass and the bottom is a path so I’m trying to find a solution to prevent soil constantly falling on the path.  I’ve tried putting turf on it but as the bank is irregular in gradient, the turf just sits rather than roots in. Any ideas on how to stabilise it? It’s not worth the expense of a retaining wall and tbh I think there’s probably a better cost effective solution but any ideas would be great. 

Thanks 

Section62

Bartoni79 said:

Hi,
Im leveling my garden and I’ve been left with a slope/ bank about 1-1.25 ft high and 1 ft - 1.5ft in width. The slope is about 13m running the length of my garden. The top of the slope is grass and the bottom is a path so I’m trying to find a solution to prevent soil constantly falling on the path.  I’ve tried putting turf on it but as the bank is irregular in gradient, the turf just sits rather than roots in. Any ideas on how to stabilise it? It’s not worth the expense of a retaining wall and tbh I think there’s probably a better cost effective solution but any ideas would be great. 

Thanks 

For a small difference in height it is farly common to use concrete paving slabs - set on one edge and sloping back a few degrees.  The space in front of the slab needs some concrete in it to prevent the slab rotating forward.  600x600m slabs would probably do for a retained height of 12 to 15".  Ideally they need to be 'council footway' type slabs (approx 50mm thick) for frost resistance and adequate strength.  'Landscape' type slabs which are thinner will probably end up cracking.

Bartoni79

Thanks. I was hoping to try abd make it more organic with netting which could be hidden by plants or using plants with a strong roof system..

GDB2222

I’m not suggesting that you deliberately plant couch grass, but it’s an example of the sort of grass you need there. Something fairly tough and deep rooted. 

If it’s isolated from the rest of the garden you might be able to control it! 

Eldi_Dos

I presume it is a area you would be happy to leave unmowed most of the year,if that is the case some Wildflower Turf would help stabilise the surface soil.You could use some tent pegs to hold it in place till established.

Bartoni79

Eldi_Dos said:

I presume it is a area you would be happy to leave unmowed most of the year,if that is the case some Wildflower Turf would help stabilise the surface soil.You could use some tent pegs to hold it in place till established.

Thanks. Nice idea. I’m struggling with keeping turf alive but wildflower seeding might work as I understand they adapt better to more difficult soil conditions…

Albermarle

Maybe you could embed a plastic grid into it for stability.
Such as these.
Plastic Ground Stabilisers and Stabiliser Grids at B&Q