Can Retaining Walls Improve the Health of Your Garden?

A retaining wall serves a distinct purpose in holding soil in place. It can be used for multiple purposes such as beautifying a given space or serve as a standalone garden. Retaining walls can be professionally constructed by an experienced landscaper or the homeowner. One of the top benefits of adding a retaining wall to the yard is that it can improve the health of a garden.

Planning for drainage

Soil becomes overly saturated. Adding a retaining wall can help with drainage. This is if it is built with a slope. The slope facilitates drainage. The base should carefully managed to enhance the draining. The drainage pipe can be covered with fabric and supported with gravel. The pipe systems allows any excess water to escape, preventing the water from becoming trapped within the designated plant areas.

Creating optimal soil conditions

Soil can become either too acidic or alkaline in Ann Arbor MI. An imbalance can hinder growth. Retaining walls makes it possible to better control the conditions of a given space. A soil test reveals the pH balance of the soil. The soil can be either acidic or alkaline. If growing vegetables, the soil can be potentially more acidic. Calcium sulfate, sulfur, wood chips, sawdust, or composted leaves can be added. Controlling the soil conditions throughout the entire area requires a lot of work. Adding additional resources may have to be invested in order to accomplish this goal. A retention wall creates a clearly defined space where you can focus resources and time on improving the soil conditions for an area.

Limiting soil erosion

Soil erosion is a risk whenever the natural layout of the yard is overly sloped. The soil runs off when environmental conditions like excess rain occur. Adding mulch or rocks throughout the area holds the soil in place. That results can be improved with the addition of a retaining. Carefully monitoring water levels and making sure that the soil isn’t too compacted also limits soil erosion and runoff.

Growing two varieties at a time

When there are two types of crops being grown in a specific space, there is always the risk of cross-pollination if the two vegetables are identical. A retention wall can limit the risk of cross-pollination. The retention wall can create quadrants or multiple box sections throughout the given space. Planting a wall anywhere between 400 and 500 feet between the two crops makes it easier to manage. A retaining wall adds an extra effective barrier between the two groups. Additionally, the plants can be planted at different times, so that they blossom on alternative schedules.

A retention wall functions to prevent the soil from shifting. The wall can be used to accomplish multiple goals. To improve the health of your garden, add a retention wall. You can grow multiple varieties simultaneously, limit soil erosion, facilitate drainage, and optimize soil conditions. Gardeners in Ann Arbor MI with multiple vegetables, sloped lawns, or varying soil conditions may benefit from adding a retention wall.