The structure is achieved by installing galvanized welded wire forms known as Soil Baskets. Each basket is lined with a structural face wrap and geo-synthetic grid per specific engineered drawings. The baskets are backfilled and compacted with clean fill dirt and the face of the wall is planted, preferably with native plants.
Benefits of Living Retaining Walls
* Less expensive– The materials are lighter and easier to transport and they take less time to install.
* Superior Earth stabilization—The Soil Basket design is applicable to most slopes that need to be retained. The design requires that the dirt backfill be clean and free of debris and compacted to meet strict design standards. The baskets are made of galvanized steel so, properly installed will outlast any other products. In addition, the vegetated face of the structure will be key to the overall strength of the slope. Consideration should be given to the planting and watering needs of whatever is planted on the face. If near woods, the wall will be naturally seeded by nearby fauna. However, trees should not be allowed to grow out of the face of the wall, as they would jeopardize the structure.
* Improves Drainage– The Living Wall will absorb the rainwater and allow it to drain gradually instead of encouraging run off which leads to flooding.
*Healthy for You, Your Family and Neighbors, and the Earth— The manufacturing, delivery, and installation of Soil Baskets have much less of a carbon footprint than concrete products. Adding a hillside of plants to any area will increase the welfare of the local biome. Making the choice to plant natively on your wall will allow your property to be better integrated into the larger biome. Native perennial wildflowers can be hydro seeded onto the face.
*Natural Beauty– Living walls allow you to infuse your retaining wall with shades of green, pops of color from flowers, interesting textures from varied plant shapes and sizes, and even amazing aromas from fragrant plants. You can create a lush vertical garden as a focal point in your landscape.
Call us today at 678-593-8546 or email maurercoretainingwalls@gmail.com to get started.
What are living retaining walls?
Living retaining walls use plants and other natural materials rather than concrete, blocks, or stone to hold back the earth. They are often built in terraced layers using materials like soil, gravel, and plants. The plant roots reinforce the soil structure. How steep can the slope be for a living retaining wall? Slopes up to about 45-60 degrees can be retained with living walls. Proper erosion control blankets, terracing, and drainage are especially important on steeper slopes. Geogrids may also help reinforce very steep sections. What kind of soil is best for a living retaining wall? Well-drained soils with a mixture of sand, silt, and gravel work best. Heavier clay soils take longer for the roots to penetrate and reinforce. Incorporate organic compost to improve drainage in clay soils before building the wall. How long do living retaining walls last? Properly built living retaining walls can last for decades. They may need occasional maintenance like pruning back overgrown vegetation or replanting bare areas, but are quite durable. The vegetation continues stabilizing the soil over time. What types of plants are used in living retaining walls? Some common plants used are sedum, ivy, vinca minor, juniper, liriope, and ornamental grasses. Trees and shrubs can also be incorporated. Choose plants that can tolerate sunlight, moisture, and soil conditions. What are the benefits of living retaining walls? Benefits include being more aesthetically pleasing, providing habitat for wildlife, handling erosion better, and being easier to install than standard retaining walls. They can also be self-repairing as the plants continue to grow and stabilize the soil.
