Tag: Gardening

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Gardening & landscaping

Vertical garden ideas for small spaces

Want a great way to bring a garden onto a balcony or into a small space? Consider cultivating a vertical garden. These pieces of living artwork are often much lower maintenance than the conventional garden, but still require work to ensure that they remain at their best. They are relatively easy to set up with many vertical garden kits available on the market. 

What is a vertical garden?

As the name suggests, vertical gardens grow upwards, as opposed to flat or over a horizontal area. There are so many vertical garden ideas that are possible such as a climbing plant up your wall, hanging baskets comprising blossoms and plants or a “green wall.” In a vertical garden wall, felt pockets are filled with various plants and then attached to a frame, which in turn is affixed to a wall. These types of gardens are great as they do not need as much space as your standard garden.

Green tiled wall with two hanging boxes of plants. Source: Infin8 Construction P/L
Source: Infin8 Construction P/L

Why vertical gardens are ideal for apartment living and small spaces

When living in an apartment, you likely have very little room overall to have the traditional ground-based garden. Yet, for this type of garden, all you need is an outside wall. You can grow flowers that cascade your balcony or even grow a vertical herb garden for you to use and enjoy.

Unlike a traditional garden, this type is easy to grow. It does not require as much maintenance as other gardens. The automated watering system you will use will feed the plants and there is only some occasional pruning and trimming for you to do to encourage growth.

One of the things that apartments lack the most is a connection to nature. Instead of seeing nothing but concrete when looking out your window or people surrounding your home, this allows you to have a much better view. You’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the vertical garden by just stepping outside for a moment. 

Ideas for setting up a DIY vertical garden

Choose the right location  

It’s important to choose an area with ample sunlight, but not so much so that they are constantly drying out. Look for an area that gets no less than six hours of sunlight each day, usually on the north or northeasterly area of the garden. Otherwise, choose plants that do best in shaded areas.

Know what plants are best

It is just as important to choose the right plants for your home. For a vertical garden, select plants that will do well in this type of area. Choose a plant that has the right root system as well, such as those that do not have a vigorously growing root system. Some of the types of flowers that will do well in this environment include roses, sweet pea, jasmine, wisteria, marigolds, petunias, and nasturtiums. You will also want to choose plants to group together that need the same types of nutrients and watering. This helps keep the entire process easier for you to manage. Also, it helps ensure a fabulously full flowering garden.

Potting mix choices

In the event that you require soil for your vertical garden, you need to ensure that it is of the best quality with the maximum amount of nutrients so as to promote the healthy growth of your plants. Remember to always ensure that you use a great calibre mix. An ideal would include slow-release fertilisers and soil wetting agents. It is vital for potting soil to be comprised of soil wetting agents as these prevent the soil from becoming too dry between the times that you water it.

The potting soil should also be able to drain adequately to prevent the soil from clogging with unnecessary moisture. Remember that too much moisture in the soil could result in rotten roots and fungi. You should also preferably opt for a lightweight potting mix. This is imperative for a bigger vertical garden as you will need to ensure that your supports are strong enough to withstand the weight of both your soil and plants.

Balcony with a large, leafy vertical garden covering one of the red brick walls. Source: Rcm Projects
Source: Rcm Projects

Providing nutrients

Since the majority of vertical gardens do not use much soil, it is critical to add nutrients with the water. These can be delivered through a gravity-fed drip irrigation system, so ensure that the drippers do not contain blockages and that the nutrients are maintained. Most nurseries have the nutrients you will need.

At its most simple level, vertical gardening can simply involve hanging a pot on a balcony wall, or it can be as complex as a drip-fed wall installation. The latter is based upon the concept of hydroponics, which involves growing plants using very little, or even no, soil, and relying on water that is rich in nutrients. A vertical garden site on a wall will usually comprise a framed and fibrous sheet of hessian or felt (or another similar material) fixed onto the wall onto which the plants will be sewn.

A water system will then trickle down water automatically, irrigating the plants. This water can then be recycled, making it a highly environmentally friendly system. There are various other techniques that can be taken advantage of with limited vertical space, including using plastic columns, tubes, or cylinders. With this technique, several holes are inserted along a column in which the plants grow. A more conventional method, however, is to plant boxes on stands or beds to achieve the same effect. It is important, however, that you give yourself access to the site for occasional maintenance.

Maintaining a vertical garden 

Regardless of the type of plant selected (ferns, flowers, herbs, succulents, veggies), they each require specific care. For instance, pruning and trimming your plants is a must for those that bear fruit or flowers. Dead leaves or flowers must be removed in an appropriate amount of time. Pruning is also important so they grow a specific way. Keep in mind that vertical gardens are still subject to unwanted pests, so make sure to look out for insects. Additionally, constantly check the plants for any indication of disease. If you see some, use natural products to eliminate the disease.

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Gardening & landscaping

A guide to choosing synthetic grass

If your lawn maintenance is taking up too much time and effort, maybe it’s time to get a synthetic lawn. You will save on water, fertilisers and a whole lot of sweat! 

What is synthetic grass?

Synthetic grass is made up of small green synthetic fibres designed and manufactured to replicate the feel and look of real grass. The synthetic grass is “rooted” into a matting that’s manufactured from sand and rubber, giving it a soft, springy feeling underfoot. 

Synthetic grass requires very little maintenance after installation, and you never need to worry about mowing, fertilising or watering it. All you have to do from time to time is rake, vacuum, wash and sanitise it. Since you don’t need to buy lawn products, it’s substantially cheaper to maintain than real grass. 

Green synthetic grass at the front yard of a house next to a gutter and road.
Synthetic grass looks and feels like regular grass / Source: Andrews Lawn And Garden Care

Benefits of artificial grass

It requires no water

For anyone who wants to minimise monthly water consumption and still have a green lawn, a synthetic grass lawn is a great solution. Unlike other lawns, a synthetic grass lawn does not require any water–ever. 

This type of alternative lawn can save you an enormous amount of water every year.

It is low maintenance

Homeowners love to enjoy their lawns on a nice sunny day, but most of them do not want to have to put in too many man hours to maintain that traditional lawn. One of the biggest benefits of having synthetic grass is that you do not need to spend the same amount of time taking care of it. As a matter of fact, all you really need to do is pick up any large debris and sweep it off whenever it gets too messy. No longer will you have to mow, fertilise, or maintain a sprinkler system.

It always looks great

If you have ever had trouble keeping your lawn green and spots filled in, you will appreciate the fact that a synthetic grass lawn can maintain its great looks for up to 20 years. Whenever a drought comes around, your lawn will remain as green as the day you installed it, even while your neighbours shake their heads over their skyrocketing water bills and yellowing grass.

Reducing water means saving money

Depending on where they live, most homeowners save as much as 70,000 litres of water every year after installing synthetic grass. According to studies on the matter, the average lawn at a size of 50m squared will use about 30,000 litres every year. The hotter your climate, the more water you’ll be using, even if you restrict all your watering to the middle of the night. Numbers like these mean that you’re spending hundreds of dollars in a single year just to keep your grass green. Just think of how much money that is over the lifetime of your lawn! With synthetic grass, you’ll never have to worry about it again, and you’ll watch your water bill slowly dwindle down to almost nothing.

It suits the whole family

Finally, a great added benefit of having synthetic grass is that it is perfect for all members of the family. On top of the reduced maintenance, synthetic grass provides a soft enough underfoot surface to allow even the smallest children to play freely without worry. In addition, because the grass itself is mounted with both rubber and sand, even the adults will be able to enjoy the synthetic grass for a long period of time, such as on the weekend or while barbecuing with friends. One of the things that the newer generation of synthetic grass lawns offers is the ability for it to be in the direct heat of the sun and not get too hot to the touch.

Large, well-manicured backyard with synthetic grass, water feature and hedges.
Synthetic grass requires minimal maintenance / Source: Easigrass Australia Pty Ltd

Negatives of synthetic grass

If you’re eco-conscious, you need to know that the process of manufacturing synthetic grass produces carbon dioxide and uses up a lot of energy. In addition, your synthetic grass will need to be replaced at some point, and once it wears out, its thrown into a landfill. It also has underlays that may be virtually impossible to recycle.

Another downside is that synthetic grass gets and stays hotter during the summer, making it more uncomfortable. In addition, as the years progress it can develop gashes and mats that greatly affect its cosmetic appearance and usability.

What synthetic grass is right for you?

Synthetic grass is actually far superior to its natural counterpart. Made from high-tech materials, synthetic grass is very resistant to weathering and UV rays, ensuring that it won’t fade over time or deteriorate. You would obviously want something that closely resembles real grass, so here are some factors to consider when deciding the right synthetic grass for your yard.

Synthetic grass colour

Remember the glaring green Astroturf from years gone by? Today, you have so many more shades of synthetic grass to choose from, so that your garden looks as natural as possible. You can even find some types of synthetic grass having dried blades mixed in with the green ones, for a super-realistic look.

Synthetic grass type

You will see synthetic grass blades of varying lengths and widths, copying the natural grass varieties. It is advisable to opt for a type of grass that can be seen in most yards in your neighbourhood, so that your lawn blends in well with the surroundings and looks more authentic for the type of climate and soil in your region.

Synthetic grass softness

Do you need the lawn to feel firm beneath your feet, or would you prefer it to be soft and bouncy? The answer to this question may depend on how often you use the lawn, and whether your family consists of kids and pets. Bear in mind that a springy lawn does not heat up as easily as a hard surface.

Synthetic grass durability

You will also need good warranty for your synthetic grass, preferably lasting 10 years or more. The turf itself should retain its fresh look for at least 20 years, after which most varieties will start showing signs of wear. The installation technique makes a big difference to the durability, look and feel of a synthetic grass lawn, so make sure you deal with a renowned artificial lawn specialist.

Having deliberated on the several outdoor synthetic surfaces, you are now ready to get an artificial lawn for your home and a new lifestyle for yourself. Without having to water and mow the lawn, and apply fertilisers regularly, you will have much more time on your hands. The best part is that your grass will always look great, bringing compliments from one and all. Considering how long this lawn surface is expected to last, the initial cost of the synthetic grass and its installation will pay itself out eventually.

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Gardening & landscaping

How to prepare your garden for winter

With the drop in temperature and the sun setting earlier, the thought of spending extended time in the garden seems less appealing, not to mention not all plants survive the frost. There are plenty of things you should to make sure your garden is protected through the cold and will bloom again brighter and more beautiful in the spring. Here’s our guide to keeping your garden strong through the winter months. 

Preparing your garden for winter

Take a moment to sit back and look at the layout and design of your garden. Winter is the ideal opportunity to consider what seeds you’d like to plant or how you want to landscape your outdoors.

Place your plants in areas where they can take full advantage of whatever sunlight is available. Winter plants need plenty of room for optimum air circulation, so they need to be placed further apart from each other. This also prevents fungus and diseases from developing.

Source: B.I.G Big Image Gardens

Mulch & weed

The first thing you need to do is lay down some mulch you can think of mulch as a blanketing insulator for your garden. It will protect your plants from the cold and frost, and when the mulch decomposes, it will add all of its rich nutrients right back into the ground. They’ll make your plants that much stronger when they start to grow back.

Next, it’s time to weed. That’s right, get down and dirty in there before the weather gets cold. Yank out every weed that you see, or just treat the area with plenty of weed-killing products. This is a necessity. It reduces the risk of unwanted seeds and spores spreading through the garden, which could take root and disrupt the lives of all of those plants you worked so hard to grow. You want those plants to bloom in the spring – not some undesirable weeds. 

Compose some compost

Begin a new compost heap in the time leading up to the winter months. Throw in all of the organic stuff that your house produces – grass clippings, leaves, plant shavings, household scraps. Over the cold winter months, all of this material will break down, and when spring breaks, you’ll have a heaping pile of compost that will sustain plenty of plant life in the garden!

Keeping up the garden

The time leading up to winter is also the perfect time to do some maintenance tasks – remove old plants and chop off dead and dying leaves or branches. Don’t prune plants (that just encourages growth), unless they’re perennials – those will just grow back stronger. This time is also the time to start rearranging plants and thinking about your garden layout for next year. You can also start to plant bulbs and bare-rooted shrubs, and it’s also the right time to divide up perennial plants. 

Source: All Round Gardening Services

Oh, and one last, very important point – be sure to store your gardening tools for the winter. Clean them thoroughly, oil the blades, and put them away in a secure location. You don’t want the elements dulling the stuff you’re going to need. 

Plants that thrive in winter

Some plants can grow considerably well in the winter so don’t shy away from planting flowers, vegetables, or plants that thrive in the colder months. If you’re interested in keeping blooms and buds around you all year round, here are some tips for planning a lovely winter garden.

Go Native

When planning a winter garden, the best place to start is by looking for native plants that are indigenous to your area. In Australia the majority of native plants start flowering in autumn and continue until early spring. These native flowers help to provide nourishing proteins and carbohydrates to the birds during the winter months.

Here are a few colourful plants you should consider for your winter garden:

  • Grevilleas: These popular plants come in a wide range of gorgeous colours and continue to flower throughout the winter season. You can choose groundcover varieties in addition to different sizes of shrubs and trees.
  • Correas: With more than 30 different varieties of correas, youll be able to choose from colours such as vermillion, green, bright red and pink.
  • Hakeas and banksias: These have gorgeous, show-stopping flowers that produce a heavenly scent.

Winter Soil

For native plants, it’s important to enrich the soil with compost and mulch as well as to aerate it regularly so that the soil will stay loose. If you have clay soil, youll want to loosen it first and then add gypsum, which will help break the clay down to make it more manageable. Fertilisers are also good for native plants, but make sure that they’re low in phosphorous. You can fertilise once or twice every year; the optimum times are early spring, late summer, early autumn and late winter.

Effective Foliage Plants

Because so many plants lie dormant during the winter months, consider adding some colour to your garden by using foliage plants. These come in solid or variegated shades and can bring touches of red, purple, grey, yellow and black to an otherwise monochromatic winter garden. For added drama, chose plants that have a variety of textures and shapes. Spiky-leafed plants, for example, look striking when placed next to plants with broad, curving leaves.

Here are some other flowers that can grow well in the winter:

  • Mahonia
  • Kniphofia or ‘Winter Cheer’’
  • Camellias
  • Pansies
  • Calendula
  • Stock and nemesia

For a garden that blooms all year round, consider also planting some winter veggies

  • Cabbage
  • Radishes
  • Peas
  • Coriander
  • Broccoli
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Cauliflower

Preparing your lawn for winter

Just because winter is coming does not mean you will lose all the work you put into your lawn over the summer. Preparing your lawn for winter is your best insurance for having it come back next spring, as lush and green as ever.

Source: Foresight Horticulture
  • Weed Control: These prolific species are one of your biggest challenges because they are such hardy, stubborn bunches. The fix? Do thorough weeding during early winter and these weed-fests won’t stand a chance in the new season.
  • Breathable Soil: Ever notice how rock-hard your lawn becomes over the summer? This natural tendency discourages lawn growth and encourages weed growth. Over the summer, buy a lawn aerator from a garden supply store. Aerators will oxygenate the soil and balance water flow when the rainy season comes.
  • Fertilisers and Soil Conditioners: Ideally, your soil should have a pH balance ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 – you can check this with a test kit or by taking a sample to a local nursery or agricultural office. Fertilisers are like antioxidants for plants. They spur healthy growth at fundamental stages during winter, spring and summer. Choose a liquid fertiliser, such as Nitrosol or Seasol to use on the lawn. Alternatively, you can add slow release lawn food or a complete lawn food. Consult an expert in your town to test the pH level and to recommend the best products for optimal results.
  • Fill Dirt Patches: A good time for seeding dirt/dry patches is late fall, or you can try transplanting from an overgrowth area of your lawn to fill these patches in.
  • Regular Winter Maintenance: Even when your lawn is near or in hibernation, you should perform regular maintenance. Pick up debris and keep your lawn clear of leaves. Your lawn needs light to nourish it, even in the cold months. A buildup of debris could result in dead spots come spring. Also pull any weeds that pop up to prevent them from spreading. If you have pets, give your lawn a light watering once a week to dilute the urine. This will also help prevent dead spots.
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Gardening & landscaping

Creating a rainforest garden

No matter where you live, you can add a touch of the rainforest to your garden. Typical rainforest elements include tall, dense trees covered with profuse green shrubbery at the base. You can create the same effect even in a city garden by choosing the right trees and plants.

Your rainforest garden can include palm trees, elegant tree ferns and other plants that are heavy with foliage. By adding these, you’ll not only attract birds into your garden, but you’ll also provide your flower beds with shelter and shading during the hot weather months.

Source: GreenCare Garden Services

Planning your rainforest garden

Before you start shopping for trees and plants, its a good idea to make a sketch of your existing site and design your garden from there. Add all of your proposed water features and pathways to the drawing to get a better visual idea of the layout.

To determine the types and numbers of trees and plants you’ll be able to have, youll need to assess the size of your plot. If it’s large enough you’ll be able to have taller trees, which conversely would overwhelm a smaller garden. Rainforest varieties especially thrive in a northerly aspect that gets good sunlight, although some areas of groundcover will need sufficient shade. Youll also need to factor in how much sun you get during the winter, and whether it will be enough for your rainforest species.

Rainforest trees and plants thrive in soil that is clay, sandy or loamy, and also do well in mixed sandstones. Consider the content of your soil before choosing your plants and trees.

Your local nursery should have a variety of rainforest types that will grow in your garden. In addition, you’ll want to add a bit of colour, such as a bright flowering hibiscus. These vivid colours, combined with the deep greens of your plants, trees and shrubs, will make your rainforest garden even more authentic.

It’s also crucial to understand how to select the right plants depending on the local climate. For instance, easily grown fruit trees in Melbourne, like citrus trees or stone fruit trees, are a great addition to any garden.

You could also consider adding a number of water features such as a pond, a waterfall or water wall, or a stream or mist fountain. These will set off your tropical plants beautifully. You’ll also want to install pathways for walking, or even a pavilion, but be careful not to add too much clutter. Also, consider adding a sloping plot, which you can use for terracing or for installing a retaining wall. If you don’t want the wall to be visible, surround it with plants.

Planting your rainforest garden

Here are a few tips to help you in planting your rainforest garden.

Thoroughly loosen and then mulch the soil with organic items such as straw or leaves.

  • Make sure the soil is moist.
  • Select large-size plants with developed roots
  • Plant the tallest trees first, at two or three metres apart.
  • When the trees have established themselves, add shrubs around them.
  • Last, add groundcover varieties such as palm lilies, ferns, orchids and climbing plants.

It’s important to water your rainforest garden regularly. To avoid getting the soil waterlogged use a fine misting sprayer and mulch the area to hold in the moisture.

The area should be fertilised annually.

Planting canopy trees

Providing valuable shade and extensive privacy, canopy trees are an excellent addition to your rainforest garden. Regardless of the size, there is a canopy tree available to suit all requirements.

The term “canopy tree” refers to a tree that is grown to create a canopy over its surrounding environment. Also known as “shade trees,” the outer layer of the leaves (canopy) creates a dense growth that blocks incoming light.

Some of the most common canopy trees include oaks, maples, elms, poplars, beeches, ashes, and lindens. Other trees that fall under the canopy category are waratah, tilias, tulipwoods, golden robinia, crepe myrtle, ornamental pear, Japanese crab apple, flowering plumb and birches.

Source: Shutterstock

How to Select a Canopy Tree

When searching for a canopy tree, there are several considerations that will affect your decision. First, if you decide upon a deciduous tree, it will provide shade during the summer and allow for light in the winter. Keep in mind that it may take several years before the canopy is large enough to begin providing shade.

You’ll need to ensure that the tree will not cause damage to the foundation or running pipes. Issues are most commonly caused by the underground root systems. You should also avoid planting in close proximity to chimneys because sparks can ignite the leaves, resulting in a fire. Although these trees offer excellent privacy, they can also cause dampness when used in cold areas.

Setup and continued maintenance

Once you have decided on your tree, there is not much maintenance that must be followed. In the first year, the tree will require deep watering on a regular basis to ensure that it develops a healthy root system. A small amount of pruning may be required throughout its lifetime and occasional fertilisers are the norm. The time for the canopy to become established and develop depends on the type of tree.

For more advice on how to create a rainforest garden, talk to a landscaper or expert at your local nursery.

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Gardening & landscaping

Retaining wall: Ideas, cost & how to build

Adding a rock retaining wall to your yard is becoming increasingly common in Australia. They can be great for enhancing the aesthetic of your land, to improve the topography of the ground, or to fulfil a need to maximize the land use.

What is a retaining wall?

Retaining walls hold, or retain, soil. They’re commonly used to prevent erosion and can also be used to support a slope, create terraces, and support garden beds. Retaining walls can be purely functional or a combination of functional and decorative.

There are a few different options available to you, depending on the end purpose of your wall (decorative or structural), your budget, and the aesthetic you’re after:

  • Wood
  • Stone
  • Gabions
  • Brick
  • Concrete

Do I need to hire a professional?

Retaining walls can be tricky to get right, especially when adding a structure onto a slope. Before you start building a retaining wall on your site you need to clearly answer the question – what is it for? To strengthen the slope and keep the soil on it from leaching and slipping? Or for decorating the garden, zoning, and vertical gardening?

There might be legal restrictions with your retaining wall since they’re designed to hold back a great deal of weight. Check and see what the local laws allow, in most cases, you’ll need approval from your local council. If council approval is required, you’ll also need to employ a licensed structural engineer.

Technical calculations are not necessary in the case of purely decorative walls, a landscaper is skilled enough. However, as soon as an exterior wall has a real support function, a study must be conducted beforehand.

Source: Northern Riverscapes

For the construction of a strong and reliable retaining wall that can protect a house or a plot from a landslide from a slope, professionals should be invited. They’ll complete a study of the soil and ensure reinforcement of the slope with a strong mesh or geotextile. A solid concrete foundation is also required on which the retaining wall can be built. In addition to this, work is required to divert rainwater from the slope. A protective wall is a complex engineering structure that requires durability for safety and is not for amateurs.

Wooden retaining wall

Timber retaining walls are a popular choice because they’re easy to set up and install for the DIY gardener, and they’re also very affordable. A durable option, you can expect a timber retaining wall to last up to 25 years before needing to be replaced. Aesthetically, there’s a warmth and flexibility that comes from timber as a material due to the many different types of wood available.

First of all, you’ll need to treat the timber, or purchase pre-treated material, so that it’s protected from rotting caused by the moisture present in soil. In order to maintain the strength and durability of your timber retaining wall, you’ll probably need to re-treat it every so often as well.

To create and install a wall of horizontal logs you need smooth, high-quality dried timber. Logs are usually used, but solid timber is also an option. Glued laminated timber should be avoided as it can delaminate in the rain if your area is open to the elements.

Logs can be installed horizontally or vertically. For horizontal installation, they must be the same size and thickness. Choosing vertical installation allows you to use waste lumber, different in length, and diameter of the log.

Source: Shutterstock

An even more economical option is to use trunks and branches of old trees that have been cut in the area if they are strong enough. The trunks of trees, especially fruit, are never perfectly flat but for a low retaining wall, segments of 40-90 cm in length are needed, you can always select and cut off suitable fragments.The advantages of vertical installation of logs are that this method allows you to make any smooth turns and rounding of the retaining wall.

Stone retaining wall

Natural stone retaining walls are the most reliable style you can select and fit perfectly into any style of garden – though they can be more expensive.

You can use natural stones of any shape: rounded boulders, acute angles of rock or stone blocks of regular shape. Rectangular blocks of sandstone or limestone laid in even rows are most suitable for a regular garden. Boulders of various sizes and shapes are used to create retaining walls that resemble natural heaps of stones. Such structures are characteristic of the natural style.

Construction of a retaining wall of stone begins with laying in a specially dug trench drainage and foundation. The foundation is made of concrete and reinforced with wire and metal construction debris. If the wall is low, then the reason for it can be large stones, half dug into the soil.

Source: Modern Landscaping

Gabion retaining wall

Gabion walls are durable and strong, able to hold large masses of soil. They are built out of a gabion — or steel-reinforced wire basket — which is shaped to conform to the site, and then filled with multi-sized stones. To construct a gabion wall, you just need to place reinforced, level footings made of concrete on the site, then install the gabion wall on top and fill it with stones. Smaller stones work better because you can just dump them in by the bucket, whereas larger stones need to be put in by hand to fit within the wall frame properly.

Because of its unique construction, a gabion wall has no mortar, it drains well and isn’t vulnerable to water buildup. In addition, it doesn’t wear and crumble as mortar is prone to do. Because of their weight, gabion walls are also good at controlling erosion and will last for years.

In addition to being relatively low cost and quick to install, gabion walls can also provide an attractive feature for your lawn or garden. For added flair, train ground lights over your gabion wall to create a show-stopping, dramatic nighttime effect.

The walls of the gabions are often low; the blocks are installed without a foundation. An inexpensive cobble, pebble or gravel is used as a filler. Gabion walls can be tricky to install, even for an experienced DIYer – so it would be worth chatting to a professional if you go down this route.

Brick retaining wall

Brick is often chosen as a material for the construction of a retaining wall as it’s a relatively inexpensive material, yet very durable able to withstand extremes of temperature, moisture, and weather. Bricks do not warp, rot, or suffer from insect attacks. For a decorative wall, waste, broken, or old bricks can be used. You should also choose this option if your wall will be complex in configuration — with roundings, corners, or projections.

The technology of laying is the same as in ordinary construction, with low walls it’s enough to just lay half a brick. If the wall is a metre or taller – a full brick should be used otherwise it will need to be reinforced.

The foundation of a brick retaining wall requires gravel drainage and ligation – especially for high walls. Behind your wall you’ll also need a solid drainage system, as the bricks don’t not like moisture. Brick retaining walls are also easy to reinforce and create very strong structures. Add a solid foundation or reinforce with steel rods or pre-stressed cables. For extra strength, a brick retaining wall can be built with double thickness.

Source: Broadbent’s Landscaping and Garden Care

Aside from the relatively low cost, the other main advantage of choosing a brick wall is their ability to be decorated with ties. This means endless possibilities when it comes to injecting colour and texture into your design.

Concrete retaining wall

Concrete is a popular option since it’s an incredibly durable and strong building material. Concrete retaining walls are long-lasting, won’t rot or warp like timber does, and can support a great deal of weight if reinforced properly. They can be made in three different ways: using concrete sleepers, pouring concrete into a mould, or placing several blocks to create the wall. It’s worth noting that a solid concrete wall is almost always heavier than bricks or wood, making a solid and wide foundation a requirement.

Concrete walls can be harsh on the eyes, so you’ll likely need to finish it with some kind of paint, dye or tile.

Concrete retaining walls tend to be a little expensive when compared to timber, but will also last you much longer. Additionally, concrete retaining walls take up more space than timber ones do, making them less well-suited to smaller yards.

Moreover, one of the most critical elements is the footing when building a concrete retaining wall. Footings for retaining walls play a crucial role in providing stability and support to the wall structure. Whether you’re using Besser block retaining wall footings or a concrete footing, proper reinforcement is essential. Steel reinforcement ensures that the footing can withstand the weight of the wall and any load it bears. 

For added strength, contractors may also opt to embed rebar into the wall. When done correctly, footings for concrete retaining walls can ensure the durability and longevity of your structure.

Don’t forget about the quality protection of the finished product from soil moisture, and therefore be sure to install a drainage system to preserve the integrity and rigidity of our design.