Strengthening slopes and slopes. Strengthening the slope on the site. How to strengthen a slope using terraces, reinforced concrete slabs, biomats, geomats, geogrids, geotextiles, geogrids, gabions, metal mesh, lawn gratings. Stones and geotextiles

Planting on the terrace

Owners of plots with uneven terrain often face the problem of how to strengthen the slopes. The issue is solved in a variety of ways, including planting. At the same time, it is important not only to stop the destructive process, but also to integrate the slope into the overall design of the garden.

Methods of strengthening

In relatively flat areas there are ravines and hills, heterogeneity of micro- and mesorelief. In such areas, problems often arise associated with landslides and soil washout from slopes. Both linear and planar water erosion can cause great damage to the soil cover. A particular danger threatens unturfed slopes, which lack not only trees and shrubs, but also herbaceous vegetation.

There are quite a few ways to counteract erosion phenomena.

On steep slopes, a system of flat terraces with retaining walls is installed.
One of the effective methods of strengthening slopes can be the creation of a rock garden or rocky hill, while terracing the slope is complemented by planting soil-fixing ornamental plants.
At large angles of inclination, metal gabion meshes filled with stone, as well as geogrids, cellular geogrids and geomats, into which mixtures of lawn grasses are sown, help.

But still, one of the most environmentally friendly ways to combat erosion processes is to stabilize the slopes by planting trees and shrubs that form a well-developed root system. This method is most effective when the slope is less than 25–30%. However, even on steeper slopes it is possible to plant using geogrid or geogrid, which helps to further strengthen the soil.

The mentioned method is used for afforestation of large areas in rugged terrain, for strengthening slopes during road construction, and for landscaping park areas and personal plots.

An example of the use of phytoplasty

Strengthening slopes by planting trees and shrubs- This is an area of activity in which knowledge in the field of engineering biology and ecology, landscape design and dendrology may be necessary.

So, what plants will help stabilize the soil on slopes?

Volumetric root system

First of all, these are woody species with a branched, fairly voluminous root system, such as

mountain ash,
intermediate rowan,
small-leaved linden,
tall ash.

Strong fibrous roots that bind the soil well form:

common bird cherry,
Norway maple,
field maple,
ash maple,
red maple and some others,
most elms and beech trees.

Under certain conditions, a fibrous root system is also laid horse chestnut, silver birch And fluffy birch And some coniferous species: common larch, Scots pine, some firs, Although It should be noted that the nature of the root system of these breeds varies significantly.

A site with even a slight difference in relief can be transformed by a retaining wall decorated with perennials

To a lesser extent, plants with a taproot system, which, although going deep into the soil, are poorly branched, can solve this problem. These include:

English oak and some other types of oak,
black alder,
Amur velvet,
nuts,
many hawthorns,
pseudotuga Menzies,
on soils with a light granulometric composition – apple, pear and plum trees.

Superficial root system

Species with shallow, underdeveloped roots effectively fix only the upper soil horizons on slopes, reducing the threat of erosion, but doing little to reduce the risk of landslides. This group of trees and shrubs includes:

many ate
poplars,
aspen,
red oak,
white acacia,
different types of serviceberry.

Shallow roots are also noted:

at the Japanese scarlet,
silver maple,
maple Ginnala,
cypress trees,
thuja occidentalis,
hemlock,
at the goat willow,
brittle willow,
white willow and many others, but this “disadvantage” is more than compensated for by their high growth activity.

It is important to know

Plants with flat, shallow root systems are usually more susceptible to wind damage and may also suffer from lack of soil moisture, which is often observed on slopes. All this somewhat limits their use for soil consolidation.

Organizing a trail system on slopes can replace terracing

Shrubs

Many shrubs have a fairly powerful and branched root system:

honeysuckle,
suckers,
and you,
spirea,
privet,
barberries.

They are also successfully used to fix slopes:

caragana tree,
aralia,
bladderworts,
derens,
rose hips.

The slope is decorated and strengthened with wild roses

To strengthen and decorate steep slopes and retaining walls, planting creeping and creeping shrubs, as well as thicket-type perennials, which help create a dense or even continuous ground cover, are widely used.

Among the shrubs that will look most natural and decorative in such an environment, you should choose forms with a crown spread out or pressed to the ground, such as creeping willow And rock willow, horizontal cotoneaster And tiny cotoneaster, barberry Thunberg ‘Green Carpet’ or stephanandra incisifolia.

Important Details

The greatest anti-erosion effect is usually achieved by row planting across the slope, however, for decorative purposes, trees and shrubs can be planted in separate picturesque groups.

It is important to know

It should be taken into account that the nature of the root system of the same species varies significantly depending on the type of soil and ground on which they grow. Thus, many plants on soils with light mechanical composition develop a deeper, tap root system, and on highly compacted, as well as heavy, damp soils, a superficial root system.

There are quite a few tree and shrub species that form rooted shoots or root suckers. Thanks to this, they can relatively quickly fix the soil surface over a large area around the mother plant. This ability is possessed by:

white derain,
shoot sod,
sea buckthorn,
gray alder,
aspen,
other poplars,
common bird cherry,
blackthorn.

The tendency of plants to form offspring increases significantly with mechanical damage to the root system, therefore, by loosening the tree trunk circle, this process can be enhanced.

In addition to the above plants, this feature is also distinguished by:

staghorn sumac,
white acacia,
common raspberry,
fragrant raspberries,
cut blackberries and
garden blackberry,
silver goof,
Eleven angustifolia,
some rose hips,
mountain ash,
buckthorn laxative.

A number of species of trees and shrubs easily take root when propagated by green and woody stem cuttings, as well as root cuttings. By planting them in rows or staggered patterns in the soil on hillsides, steep river banks, road slopes and dams, you can quickly create plantings that effectively delay the development of erosion. Such plants include:

gray alder,
many types of willows and poplars,
common barberry,
Thunberg barberry,
less – Forsythia intermediate, mountain ash, common hazel, mock orange, some dogwoods, lilacs and spirea.

Using mock orange ‘Aurea’ to decorate a slope

Lianas

To design and fix slopes, relief changes and retaining walls, you can use some vines, such as:

lemongrass,
parthenocissus,
wood pliers,
princes,
ivy (in the southern regions of the country),
climbing roses.

When grown on the ground, without high supports, they will act as ground cover crops.

Many people use them not only as soil-protective plantings, but also as effective decoration of slopes. varieties of climbing roses, cultivated as creeping, as well as ground cover roses with arched, drooping or whip-like shoots. They are, as a rule, characterized by abundant and rather long flowering, and in addition, they are very unpretentious and frost-resistant.

Coniferous ground cover

Quite unpretentious plants play a significant role in securing and decorating embankments and slopes. ground cover coniferous plants. Nurseries now offer a large selection of species and varieties creeping junipers, pines, spruces and other conifers, extremely diverse in bush shape, texture and shades of needles.

These can be widespread:

Cossack juniper,
m. horizontal
m.scaly,
m. ordinary, for example variety ‘Repanda’,
mountain pine cultivars pressed to the ground, or
openwork microbiota cross-paired.

By combining plants according to the color of their needles, you can create an original variegated carpet based on contrasts of green, bluish-blue and golden-yellow tones.

And all the rest

In addition to tree and shrub species, they are also planted on slopes.creeping and hanging perennials and subshrubs, such as:

coin loosestrife,
periwinkle,
lamiastrum zelenchukova,
creeping tenacious,
ivy-shaped budra,
wallsteinia trifoliate,
pachysandra apex.

Herbaceous plants, of course, have less of a fixing effect on the soil, but can be used as a useful addition to planted woody species. In addition, many perennials perfectly decorate slopes.

For example, creeping types of phlox are very impressive:

phlox subulate,
phlox Douglas,
star phlox,
soddy phlox,
snow phlox,
dwarf phlox,
their varieties that form dense turf.

Silvery spots diversify the appearance of slopes stachys woolly, tomentosa and Biberstein's jasmine, speckled jasmine, colored clumps of creeping tenacious, thymes, aubriet, arabis, sedum and other prostrate and carpet perennials.

These plants, planted taking into account their environmental characteristics, are well suited for securing, camouflaging and decorating small embankments and slopes in garden and cottage areas.

Choosing a style

It is well known that there are only two main garden styles: formal And free , and within each of them separate artistic movements are formed. Therefore, in relation to the tasks of designing slopes, we can talk about two stylistic settings. We have no choice but to choose between regular and landscape directions or try to combine them within one project.

The formal approach was widely used during the Renaissance, when terrace gardens became widespread in Italy. In most cases, they were a system of terraces, retaining walls, flights of stairs and ramps, organizing the slope into a decorative architectural, sculptural and plant composition, often using flowing water and numerous water devices. Modern options for terracing slopes, in fact, are not much different in principle from those that have been tested for a long time.

The framework of the landscape style is perhaps more spacious. They allow the designer to work in a wide range from organizing simple group plantings of tree and shrub species or ground cover crops on slopes to constructing a slope landscape using modern geoplastic methods.

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Surely, most of those who receive an offer to buy a plot in a lowland or on a slope refuse such an offer. Could there be anything worse than a plot on a slope? Relief destruction, landslides, dirty slurry that floods the area after every rain - these are not all the troubles that you will have to face. However, such rules will remain in effect until a skillful owner decides how to arrange a ravine or slope. To protect them from destruction, many different methods are used, which differ from each other in the scope of use, the degree of fixation of the ravine or slope, the arsenal of materials used, etc.

A site on a slope can become a problem if the ground is not properly stabilized.

Grass and other plant materials to stabilize slopes

You can strengthen the slope by planting it with vegetation - herbs and trees.

Today, to protect a ravine, slope, ditch and ditch, you can use a variety of methods that will reliably strengthen the area. For example, to strengthen a site on a slope, slabs and concrete boxes, gabions, plastic and metal meshes, three-dimensional gratings and even grass are used.

To quickly and inexpensively strengthen the soil, an area on a slope can be planted with plants, both vertically and horizontally. in this case, it is carried out using species that are capable of developing a sufficiently dense and powerful root system, which will create living reinforcement inside the slope and secure the earth. An excellent choice for strengthening the slope with plants would be ground cover and grass lawn grasses. This slope strengthening is effective if the slope does not exceed 8%.

With the help of plants, you can strengthen flatter slopes, in particular those with a slope of up to 45%.

To prevent the soil from being destroyed by the root system, geotextiles are laid on it.

However, in this case, there is a very high probability that while the grasses planted to strengthen the slope grow the necessary root system, the area will simply begin to collapse. To prevent this from happening, in combination with plants it is necessary to use biomats - canvases that consist of coconut fibers and straw, superimposed on a layer of cellulose.

To do this, rolls of biomats need to be unwound and spread over the entire surface of the slope. After this, it is necessary to sow plant seeds directly on top of the mats, which grow through the permeable fibers and after some time form with them a dense reinforced fabric that can reliably strengthen the area.

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Strengthening slopes using special materials

Slopes of more than 60 degrees are strengthened using geotextiles and geogrids.

A site on a slope can be strengthened using various artificial materials. For example, to strengthen slopes whose angle reaches 60 degrees, you can install geotextiles. This dense material is sold in rolls and is a canvas made of polyester or polypropylene fibers, which have excellent water permeability and high strength.

Geotextiles are fixed to the slope using anchors, after which the surface is decorated. Facing with tiles, decorative stones, paving stones, etc. is often used. A layer of fertile soil can be laid on top of the textiles and plants can be planted.

The area can also be strengthened using geomats. Geomat is a material that consists of several layers of polypropylene gratings and resembles a loose sponge in appearance. This material is capable of supporting vegetation and soil of a slope with an inclination angle of up to 70 degrees. Small plants and trees will then grow on these geomats. The fibrous structure of the material allows plant roots to pass through it normally, forming a dense system that protects the area on the slope from weathering, water erosion and landslides.

Geogrid, a “reinforcement frame” made of polyester or glass, can also withstand an inclination angle of up to 70 degrees. As the name implies, the material is a mesh of polyester and glass, which serves to compact the top layer of soil. Geogrid installation is carried out using anchors. After laying out the geogrid, sand, soil or crushed stone is poured into its cells. The highest quality fixation occurs when laying the turf and further planting the plants. Over several months of growth, the soil and geogrid will be connected by the root system into a single whole, which will protect the area from destruction even under high mechanical loads.

Scheme of laying geogrid on a slope. The geogrid can withstand slopes of up to 70 degrees.

Geogrid is a more reliable material than geogrid. It is a stretchable frame consisting of thin strips of geotextile and forming a cellular structure. This frame is fixed on the surface of the ravine using fillers that are placed in its cells. Pebbles, crushed stone, soil, and concrete can be used as filler. The use of soil allows you to landscape the ravine and at the same time protect it from sliding.

You can also strengthen a gentle slope with the help of gabions - mesh boxes that are connected to each other like a construction set. Inside each box, stones are placed larger in size than the cells of the frame. Crushed stone, cobblestones, rubble or even decorative multi-colored stones can be used as filler. If the filler is not used for decorative purposes, you can fill the soil on top and sow the gabion with plant seeds, which over time should form a spectacular green wall.

Retaining walls can be used to strengthen steep cliffs and slopes. They are usually built from wood, stone, concrete or brick, and the construction of the system necessarily begins with the construction of the foundation. To increase the reliability of the structure and enhance the decorativeness of the retaining mesh, you can use buttresses - additional protruding ribs that are planted with ornamental plants.

In any case, to strengthen the slope you need to prepare the appropriate tools and materials. You will need:

shovel;
plants or material chosen to strengthen the area;
scissors;
saw;
roulette;
reinforcement bars.

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Advantages and technology of laying geotextiles

Layout diagram and fastening of geotextiles on a slope.

Among the advantages of geotextiles are the fact that it does not form by-products, is frost-resistant, is not affected by aggressive environments, is not susceptible to mold and mildew, does not decompose, does not rot.

The material can easily withstand heavy loads and performs an excellent reinforcement function. Due to the filtering ability of geotextiles, soil does not get into the pores of the fabric. It is light and compact, highly resistant to mechanical stress in the form of puncture and tearing, reduces transport and storage costs, and can be easily cut with a chain and hand saw.

Before laying the material, the surface of the slope must be leveled. The leveling process must be controlled at all stages. If the site is filled flush with the surface, then you need to remove the soil. The depth of the recess should be 20-50 cm, the exact value is determined during design. The walls and bottom of the excavation are covered with geotextiles. A layer of gravel or crushed stone is poured on top. A layer of material is again laid on it, after which sand is poured and decorative stone, paving stones or tiles are laid. The tiles can be laid on cement mortar placed on top of a layer of sand.

You can strengthen a steep slope or cliff with a supporting wall.

If the site will be built above ground level (this decision is made by civil engineers and designers depending on the slope and condition of the surface), then after leveling the surface, geotextiles are laid on the ground with an overlap of 20 cm. Formwork is installed along the perimeter of the site being strengthened. Crushed stone or sand is poured onto the geotextile layer, another layer of fabric is placed on top of it, and sand is again poured onto it. It is necessary to lay cement mortar on the sand, and then lay tiles on it. You can do without using cement mortar if the slope allows it. In this case, paving stones, tiles, decorative stones, etc. are laid on the sand. When laying geotextiles, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the technology.

Ensure that overlapping portions of material are secured with staples, spikes, or by placing a small amount of fill material along the seams. Staples and crutches can be metal or wood and have a length of about 20 cm. Make sure that the geotextile is laid immediately before filling the filler, especially during strong winds. Standard rolls of material have a width of up to 6 m. Using geotextiles, soil erosion is prevented, the surface is reinforced and water is drained from slopes.

Residents of megalopolises who do not have a dacha imagine their suburban areas in the form of a piece of paradise, on which stands a beautiful estate, around which there are green lawns, fragrant flower beds, babbling streams, a swimming pool, and neatly laid out beds.
However, quite often reality is the exact opposite of the fairy tale. The piece of land you purchased is located in a ravine or there is a hill in the middle of it.
Don't worry about it: your problems can be solved, right strengthening the slopes and carrying out landscaping of the site.

Work to strengthen the slopes of the site

If you are unlucky, you have acquired a dacha area with uneven terrain. Consider the positive aspects of these unpleasant surprises.

First, notice the advantages of the unusualness of the land:

Completely eliminates the occurrence of stagnation of rain and groundwater in areas with some slopes.
The planes facing the sun are well illuminated, as a result of which ornamental plants and vegetable crops develop well on the southern slopes.
The unusual nature of the area provides a unique opportunity for the original design of personal plots.
Using the natural relief features of a summer cottage will allow you to avoid the special construction of structures to create decor using waterfalls, cascades or alpine slides.

There are also disadvantages to relief land plots:

Plants planted on hillsides need to be watered additionally and more often, since water hardly stays in the ground.
This terrain is not suitable for lawn lovers - it will be difficult for them to ensure that the inclined plane is covered with an even, silky grass carpet.
Uneven terrain cannot be used for practical purposes: it will not provide a playground or clearing for recreation, and you will not be able to install a bench or table.
The main disadvantage of such a site is the additional expenditure of money and time to strengthen slopes and slopes, carry out landscaping, and plant flower beds or vegetable beds.

But all these problems can be fixed. In order to choose the right method for strengthening slopes and slopes, the following factors are taken into account:

Soil structure.
The degree of slope of a piece of land.
Groundwater.
Possibility of natural influence: destruction - landslides, washouts, soil shedding.

Let’s assume that plants with a strong root system can be planted on gentle slopes. They will fix the soil with their roots, as a result of which the destructive processes will stop.

This will not be enough to strengthen steep slopes. A more serious approach is needed here: soil shedding can only be prevented by making special structures using biomats, stones, concrete blocks or geogrids. Having chosen the material, determine exactly in which zone to build the structure, and begin preparatory work.

It is possible to transform even the steepest slopes into magnificent stone gardens - just lay out retaining walls. Using beautiful decorative tiles for this, and using paving stones to lay out adjacent paths.

The reinforcing structure can be made not only of the same type and single layer. The area of the site will visually increase if you build a staircase or terrace on it.

Strengthening slopes with plants

At an angle of inclination not exceeding 8-10 degrees, in order to stabilize the soil cover, you can plant plants: trees, shrubs, flowers and herbs, the flexible roots of which can penetrate deeply into the soil, protecting it from landslides and erosion. Trees have a powerful root system, however, you should not plant only large plants on the entire slope.

Compositions that are free-standing low trees and shrubs look more attractive. To decorate the steep edges of ravines, you can plant broom, elderberry, viburnum, Japanese quince, mackerel, barberry, bushes or rose hips on them.

They perfectly strengthen slopes by planting ground cover plants, and the color variety and difference in height will help hide some of the imperfections of the relief. Thanks to the uneven relief, you can create real picturesque masterpieces of decorative art by combining stones of various shapes, bright and beautiful flowers and water flowing along the ledges.

Decorative elements are made in the form of flowering bushes and plants with long shoots and lush flowers, among which climbing roses are especially beautiful. But it is not recommended to make too bright cocktails from climbing plants. It is enough to plant 1-2 beautifully flowering species.

Sloping surfaces can be decorated with groundcovers such as periwinkle, woolly cherry, ivy and sunflower, creating dense carpets and providing a backdrop for larger plants.

Owners of land plots who prefer to equip them with alpine slides and rockeries will be pleased with the uneven terrain, which has elevations, ledges and depressions. It costs nothing for craftsmen to use a bunch of stones, several coniferous trees and different types of flowers to create a wonderful decoration for their summer cottage. But before setting up a flower garden, you need to think about creating favorable growing conditions - ensuring regular watering of the plants.

Strengthening slopes using artificial methods

Any slope can be decorated with the help of plants - this is a natural way to protect it from crumbling. However, it is possible to strengthen the slope on a summer cottage using artificial paths - using stones, logs and structures made of polymer materials.

Most often, site owners strengthen slopes using retaining walls or stairs made of durable materials. At the same time, they serve as decorative elements.

Installation of stone or log fences

You can keep a steep surface from landslides and other damage with an artistically designed fence made from a variety of materials. Laying of stones or wooden elements is carried out on the outer sides of the slopes. They are fixed in different ways: with cement or fixation (burying) in the ground. It is possible to lay limestone slabs, cobblestones, shell rock or granite as a wall. The wooden parts are laid in the form of a staircase or fence.

We use geotextiles to strengthen slopes

Steep slopes can be strengthened naturally by planting trees, flowers or grass. In this case, geotextiles are used, which is a dense material composed of polyester or polypropylene fibers. It is capable of excellent water permeability and has high strength indicators.

Strengthening slopes with geotextiles.

The material is stretched over the uneven surface of the site, secured with anchors and decorated. Decoration can be done using natural stone or tiles, planting flowers randomly in fertile soil.

Don’t forget to remove the anchors that hold the geotextile in place after it is covered with soil. It is better to remove it when it is not secured.

Application of geomatites and biomatites

These types of soil cover are used to effectively protect surfaces that have a slope of up to 45%, or even up to 70%, when planting.

To make biomats, coconut fibers or straw are used, which are fixed to a layer of cellulose. Geomats are multilayer gratings made from polypropylene.

Since the development of the root system of plants occurs over a certain period of time, in order to instantly stabilize the soil, it is necessary to first lay down supporting structures, and only then plant the plants.

Biomats have the following advantages: their surface becomes green in just 2 months, and the soil is partially fertilized as this material decomposes.

Geomats are a practical and relatively inexpensive material that has many advantages, the main ones of which are ease of installation, high efficiency and durability.

The roll material is laid along the surface of the slope, securing all the pieces around the perimeter, and then sowing flowers or herbal plants. Thanks to the loose fibrous structure of the material, the seeds are fixed and germinate, subsequently forming a thick grass carpet with an invisible reinforcing layer.

Step-by-step installation of geogrid

Even a novice landscape designer, as the owner of a summer house can be called, can strengthen a small plot of land on his own. If there is a ravine or ditch on your summer cottage with crumbling slopes, you can use a volumetric geogrid - a modern polymer strip structure.

If you fill the geogrid cells with plant soil, you will prepare an excellent place for planting climbing or erect plants. Lawn grass or small shrubs will grow well on this site.

If a country house or Russian bathhouse is installed on a steep place, then you can’t think of a better way than reinforcing the geogrid with gravel to create a barrier to the destruction of the steep slope.

The geogrid elements are welded together. The result is a lattice with large sections. The gratings are filled with heavy building material, for which crushed stone, sand, and concrete are quite suitable. You can fill the trellises with special nutritious soil and then plant plants in it.

Using geogrid to strengthen slopes and protect them from collapse.

Slopes that are composed of sand or other sedimentary rock are most often and quickly destroyed. They crumble from the action of wind and rain. If a ditch crosses a dacha plot, you can strengthen both of its slopes by creating an original stone stream, or by building an unusual rock garden, planting conifers and flower beds.

Before carrying out reinforcement, soil preparation is necessary. To do this, large plants are removed, the soil is leveled and compacted as much as possible.

Geogrid installation can be done in two existing ways:

For geotextiles. In this case, geotextiles are spread along the entire slope, acting as a drainage layer, on top of which a grate is laid.
Directly on the ground - direct installation of the mesh takes place, which is laid on the prepared area of the ground.

The geogrid cells must be positioned along the entire slope. The material for them is chosen according to the basic principle: a wider tape is used if the slope is steeper. The lattice segments are stretched in different directions and secured around the perimeter using anchors or specially planed pegs.

For small slopes, especially if the area is arid, where drainage can be dispensed with, laying one geogrid is sufficient - no additional insulating materials are needed.

Each cell is filled or fixed using sand or crushed stone for this purpose. If you plan to plant flowers, trees, grass or bushes in this place, fill the cells with fertile and fertilized soil.

You can fill the grate with earth or sand using construction vehicles, a garden wheelbarrow, or a simple bucket and shovel.

This is the simplest option for strengthening a slope on a summer cottage. With your imagination turned on and using various decoration methods, you can turn any crumbling slope into a beautiful and original flowering garden.

In the minds of a metropolis resident, a suburban area is a piece of paradise with a beautiful house, green lawns, fragrant flower beds, a stream or a swimming pool, and neatly laid out beds. But often the reality is exactly the opposite of the fairy-tale ideas, and you acquire a plot of land with a ravine or on the edge of a hill. Don't worry: proper strengthening of slopes and landscaping will solve all problems.

If you become the owner of a dacha area with uneven terrain, you should turn unpleasant surprises in a favorable direction. First, you need to remember the advantages of an unusual site:

Stagnation of rainwater in any area that has a slope is completely eliminated.
The plane facing the sun is well lit, so ornamental plants and vegetable crops will quickly develop on the slope, especially on the south side.
Unusual terrain is a unique opportunity for original design of a personal plot.
Taking advantage of the natural relief features, there is no need to specially erect structures to create a waterfall, cascade or alpine slide.

Let's also remember the disadvantages. For plants planted on a slope, additional frequent watering will definitely be required, since water will practically not be retained in the soil. Lawn lovers are out of luck - it is quite difficult to achieve a smooth, silky carpet on an inclined plane. Uneven terrain cannot be used for more practical things, for example, a playground or a clearing for recreation, and it cannot be installed on it. And the main disadvantage is the additional costs of strengthening slopes and slopes, landscaping, and arranging beds or flower beds.

So now we can get down to business.

In general, to choose the right method of strengthening, it is necessary to take into account some factors:

soil structure;
degree of slope;
proximity to groundwater;
the likelihood of natural destruction: landslides, washouts, sloughs.

Suppose that for a gentle slope it is enough to plant plants that will fix the soil with their roots and stop the process of destruction. Steep slopes require a more serious approach: crumbling can only be prevented by specially made structures made of biomats, gabions, stones, concrete blocks, and geogrids. After selecting the material, it is necessary to determine the exact working area and carry out preparatory work.

Even the steepest slopes can be turned into a magnificent stone garden by laying the retaining walls with beautiful decorative tiles and the adjacent paths with paving stones

It is not necessary to make the reinforcing structure of the same type or single layer: structures in the form of stairs or terraces visually increase the area of the territory

If the angle of inclination does not exceed 8-10 degrees, then plants are suitable to stabilize the soil cover: trees, shrubs, flowers and herbs. Their flexible roots penetrate deep into the soil, thereby protecting it from landslides and erosion. Trees have the most powerful roots, but it makes no sense to plant the entire slope with large plants. Compositions made from free-standing low trees and shrubs look much more attractive. Broom, elderberry, viburnum, Japanese quince, mackerel, barberry, cotoneaster, and rose hips are well suited for decorating a steep edge or ravine.

The uneven relief allows you to create real masterpieces of decorative art: the combination of stones of various shapes, bright colors and flowing water looks more than picturesque

Flowering bushes also serve as decorative elements, as do plants with long shoots and lush flowers, such as climbing roses. You shouldn’t make a too bright cocktail of climbing plants; 1-2 densely flowering species are enough. Ground cover plants are ideal for decorating a sloping surface. Periwinkle, woolly cherry, ivy, and sunflower create a dense carpet that serves as a backdrop for larger species.

Ground cover plants are a good way to strengthen gentle slopes, and with the help of color variety and height differences, hide small relief defects

The uneven terrain with hills, ledges and depressions is a real find for lovers of alpine hills and rockeries. From a pile of stones, coniferous trees and several types of flowers, they can create a real miracle, decorating any summer cottage. The only thing you need to take care of before setting up a flower garden is to create favorable growing conditions, that is, ensure regular watering.

Artificial methods of strengthening

Decorating a slope with plants is considered a natural way to protect against crumbling, although strengthening the slope on a site can also occur artificially - with the help of stones, logs and structures made of polymer materials.

Material about geoplastics in landscape design will also be useful:

Retaining walls made of durable material and stairs are the most common methods of strengthening and parallel decoration of slopes in summer cottages

Option #1 - fences made of stone or logs

Artistically designed fences made of various materials are good at restraining surfaces of any degree of steepness. or wooden elements are laid on the outside of the slope, secured in various ways: using cement or fixing in the ground (buried in the ground). Limestone slabs, cobblestones, shell rock, pieces of granite are stacked in the form of a wall, and wooden parts are laid as a ladder or fence.

Option #2 - features of laying geotextiles

Steep slopes are difficult to stabilize naturally by planting trees or grasses. In this case, geotextiles come to the rescue - a dense material made of polyester or polypropylene fibers, which perfectly permeates water and has high strength. A fragment of material is stretched onto the surface, secured on all sides with anchors, and then decorated. Natural stone or tiles, mixed with flowers planted on a fertile layer of soil, are great for decoration.

The anchors that hold the layers of geotextile must be removed after backfilling with soil - unfixed material is easier to remove if necessary

Option #3 - geomats and biomats

Both types of soil cover are used to more effectively protect surfaces with a slope of up to 45% (some types of geomats - up to 70%) when planting plants. Biomats are made from coconut fibers or straw attached to a cellulose layer. Geomats are multilayer lattices made of polypropylene. The root system of plants does not develop immediately, therefore, to immediately stabilize the soil, retaining structures are first laid, and plants are planted on them.

Biomats have two important advantages: greening of the surface for 2 months and partial fertilization of the soil due to the decomposition of the material

Geomats are a practical and relatively inexpensive material with many advantages, including easy installation, high efficiency and durability.

The rolled material is laid out over the entire surface of the slope, each piece is secured around the perimeter and grass or flowers are sown. The loose fibrous structure allows the seeds to take hold and germinate, and subsequently form a thick carpet with an invisible reinforcing layer.

Option #4 - step-by-step example of geogrid installation

Even a novice landscape designer, in other words, a dacha owner, can strengthen a small area. If there is a small ravine or ditch with crumbling slopes, you can use a volumetric geogrid - a modern polymer strip structure.

By filling the geogrid cells with plant soil, you can prepare excellent soil for planting climbing or erect flowers, lawn grass, and small shrubs

If a country house or bathhouse is located on the edge of a cliff, then a geogrid reinforced with gravel is an excellent way to create an obstacle to the gradual destruction of the slope

The elements welded together resemble a lattice with large cells, which are filled with heavy building material: crushed stone, sand, concrete or nutrient soil for planting.

By strengthening both slopes of the ditch crossing the dacha plot, you can create an original stone stream or an unusual rock garden with coniferous plants and flower beds

Before starting reinforcement, it is necessary to prepare the soil: remove large plants, level and compact the soil as much as possible. There are two options for laying geogrids: on geotextiles or directly on the ground. In the first case, geotextiles are spread over the entire width of the slope, which plays the role of a drainage layer, and then a grate is placed on top. The second option involves direct installation of the mesh - directly onto the cleaned area.

Particularly susceptible to destruction are slopes consisting of sand or other sedimentary rocks, which begin to crumble under the influence of wind and rain.

The geogrid cells should be located along the slope. The basic principle for choosing material: the steeper the slope, the wider the tape. The lattice segment is stretched in different directions and secured along the perimeter with anchors or specially planed pegs.

On small slopes, especially in arid areas where drainage is not needed, one geogrid is sufficient - there is no need for additional insulating materials

The cells are filled with either fixing crushed stone (sand) or soil under the turf. If you plan to plant flowers, the soil should be fertile and fertilized.

To fill the grate with soil or sand, you can use construction vehicles, a garden wheelbarrow, or just a bucket with a shovel.

This is one of the simplest options for strengthening a slope in a country house. By turning on your imagination and using one of the decorating methods, you can turn an ordinary crumbling slope into a blooming garden - beautiful and original.

HOW TO STRENGTHEN A SLOPE

It’s beautiful if you got a piece of land with a perfectly flat topography, plus there are no landscape defects next to it in the form of ravines, embankments and high hills. Live on such a plot for your own pleasure, build a house, plant a garden, create flower beds, in short, do whatever your heart desires. But if this area is sloped, and even quite steep, the question of how to strengthen the slope becomes one of the most important. This knowledge will also be needed by those who have a flat plot, but it is located at the foot of a steep hill. This hill, although it is not your property, will have to be strengthened so that the earth does not slide down onto the beds during floods, stones and any natural debris do not fall down. Let's consider how you can strengthen the slope of the dacha plot itself or the slopes next to it.

TERRACES

If you have taken ownership of a piece of land to engage in gardening, or to build a house on it, plant a flower garden, or arrange a recreation area with a lawn on which you can place a table and sun loungers, the most reasonable, but also incredibly labor-intensive, strengthening of the slope on the site – this is the construction of terrace steps with the installation of retaining walls. This method is not particularly popular among Russian summer residents, but in those areas where there are few flat areas (for example, in Greece or Italy), 80% of the land has the form of such terraces. They grow vineyards, build villas with swimming pools, and plant olive groves. So creating terraces is quite possible. These designs have significant advantages, such as the most rational use of the site area, ease of maintenance and the effectiveness of its appearance.

If the entire site is more or less flat, but there is a single hill on it, it is also wise to arrange stepped terraces on it, rather than leveling it to the ground. On such steps it is simply ideal to cultivate strawberries. Some gardeners who do not have hills on their territory even specially pour them in to grow strawberries.

So, how to strengthen a slope using stepped terraces? First you need to determine the angle of inclination of the site. The smaller it is, the fewer terraces will have to be made, and the wider they will be. It is desirable that their platforms have no slope at all. Otherwise, the upper ones will begin to destroy the lower ones over time or during heavy rains. But a small slope of up to 3° is allowed in extreme cases. The height of each such “step” should be within 60-65 cm (maximum 80 cm), because it will experience considerable soil pressure from the side of the hill.

After measurements and calculations, we begin the construction of our terraces. Strengthening the slope on the site is carried out in the following sequence:

1. It is necessary to divide the area into future flat areas (terraces) and mark their boundaries with pegs. For convenience, you can stretch a string horizontally between them.

2.Starting from the bottom, select excess soil from the first future terrace (it can be used to construct decorative shafts) until the area becomes level.

3. On the side of the hill there should be a vertical earthen wall perpendicular to the site. It needs to be strengthened immediately. The external design can be anything - facing tiles, tuff, decorative stone, but inside it must be done according to certain rules.

Strengthening a slope on a site using terraces with a step height of more than 50 cm requires fixing the retaining wall with beams and pillar supports. The easiest way is to make them wooden, just don’t forget to treat them twice with an antiseptic, mastic or bitumen before using them. If you have the opportunity, coat the posts and beams once with coal tar creosote, just as you would treat railroad tracks. sleepers. The strength and stability of the tree will be ensured for 50 years.

4. Drive the finished supports into the ground in close proximity to the sheer earthen wall. It is advisable to drive them into the ground by about 20 cm. The distance between them depends on the height of the step. The larger it is, the more often the supports are placed. Strengthening a slope in an area that is not very steep, where low supporting walls (up to 30 cm) can be made, is done without supports.

5.Having driven in the posts, attach the beams to them.

6.Pour a strip of screenings approximately 15-20 cm wide and about 20 cm high along the entire length of the terrace.

7.Make a concrete base on top of the screenings, and on it stone or brickwork to the upper level of the supporting wall or slightly higher. Some plot owners leave everything like that, while others decorate the masonry, creating an incredibly beautiful design.

When the first terrace is ready, all that remains is to cover it with a layer of fertile soil.
The rest of the terraces are made in the same way, and a storm drain is installed on the top one to protect the area from water flows.

Now let's look at how to strengthen the slope of a site where gardening work is not planned. In this case, modern technologies offer the use of various artificial, semi-artificial and natural materials. All of the following methods do not change the landscape of the site, do not reduce the angle of its slope, but only protect it from destruction.

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

This is the easiest, cheapest and least labor-intensive way to strengthen slopes, but it has an important drawback. The fact is that you need to use only plants that form a powerful root system. Mostly trees have this property, and they grow for a long time. Therefore, while they begin to work as a strengthener, your slope will have time to cause you a lot of unpleasant moments. Using only herbaceous plants to strengthen slopes gives only short-term results.

REINFORCED CONCRETE PLATES

Their advantages are durability and high operational reliability. Their disadvantages are labor-intensive work and high cost. Before laying reinforced concrete slabs need to make the slopes perfectly smooth. In principle, they have to be leveled when using other materials, but for reinforced concrete slabs this is most important. This material is usually used to strengthen the inclined walls of irrigation canals, elevations near bridge supports, and steep banks of reservoirs. Strengthening the slope on the site using reinforced concrete. structures are sometimes combined with terraces. Then you can make the supporting walls of the steps not perpendicular to the ground plane, but with an inclination of up to 45°.

BIOMATES

They are made from natural materials:
straw;
coconut fiber;
straw-coconut mixture.

To improve performance, they are attached to a layer of cellulose and stitched with polypropylene thread. As a rule, biomats already contain grass seeds located in the middle between two layers of fibers. These sandwich designs are produced in three varieties:
- stitched (the most popular, but the seeds in them germinate unevenly);
-made using the needle-punched method (the most expensive and most convenient);
-with a layer of seeds attached with special glue (the cheapest, but the seeds in them take a very long time to germinate due to the glue).

How to strengthen a slope using biomats? In principle, it's easy. The work algorithm is approximately this:

1.Dig a shallow ditch at the upper edge of the slope. You don’t have to do this, but with a groove the fastening is more reliable.

2. Prepare the slope - level it, remove stones and unnecessary vegetation, compact the soil.

3. If the surface of the slope is too rocky or solid clay, it is necessary to lay a layer of soil on it, which must be compacted, for example, with a hand roller. Then the grass will grow better and, accordingly, reinforce the slope more reliably.

4.Proceed with laying the biomats. This is done with a cellulose layer towards the ground. Place the first roll with the free end into the groove and securely fix it there.

5.Roll out the roll down the slope to its foot.

6.Cut.

7.Secure the entire laid module well (nail it to the ground) with stakes, iron brackets and other fasteners. In order to achieve a working strengthening of the slope on the site, it is necessary to ensure complete contact between the surfaces of the biomat and the ground.

8.Secure the edge of the second module, like the first, in the groove.

9. Unroll the roll down the slope to the foot. In this case, it should overlap the first by about 20-30 centimeters.

This way the entire slope is covered. Next, the biomats are sprinkled with a little earth. You can water it. Grass seeds treated with special growth stimulants should sprout within a week. They grow directly through the fibers of the mat, securely fastening it to the ground.

The positive quality of biomats is that you can later plant flowers or even shrubs on them. This type of reinforcement is used on slopes with an inclination angle of 45°, and if the inclination angle is 30° or higher, experts recommend laying a geomat on top of the biomat, attaching it well to the ground, and pouring about 2 cm of soil on top.
In addition to biomats, biomesh and biofabric are also available for sale.

GEOMATS

This material is a three-dimensional (three-layer) structure of randomly woven fibers of synthetic polymers. This design allows you to very reliably (for centuries) reinforce the slope and fix the roots of small plants (herbs, flowers). Strengthening the slope on a site with geomats is carried out according to the same scheme as with biomats. The difference is that you will need to sow the seeds yourself. It is important to lay this material with a smooth surface to the ground. The advantages of geomats are their high resistance to all chemical solutions, including salt water, resistance to microorganisms, ultraviolet radiation and critical environmental temperatures. It is important that geomats do not decompose or rot, so they will lie on your site until you remove them yourself. They allow you to strengthen slopes at an angle of 70°.

GEOTEXTILE

Sometimes they use reinforcement of a slope on a site with geotextiles (the second name is geofabric), which is structurally not much different from geomats. This material is lightweight, can be cut well with improvised means, does not allow water to pass through, is resistant to aggressive environments, can withstand high mechanical loads, can resist stretching (120%), does not puncture or tear. With its help, it is possible to strengthen a slope in an area with a slope angle of 60°.

How to strengthen a slope with geotextiles? Some authors suggest doing this according to the same principle as strengthening with geomats. However, the technology developed by specialists is somewhat different. You need to lay geotextiles on the prepared slope, secure it, install formwork around the perimeter, pour sand, and distribute it evenly and carefully over the surface. Place a second layer of geotextile on top and cover it again with sand (or gravel). Next, the entire structure is covered with decorative material - tiles, stone and similar materials.

GEOGrid

This is a structure made of glass or polyester threads intertwined in the shape of square cells. Geogrid is sold in rolls. The threads from which it is woven are very strong, resistant to chemical and mechanical damage, and do not decompose in the soil. Their thickness may vary. Unlike geomats, which have a solid texture, geogrid allows a wider range of plants, including shrubs, to be planted on the slopes reinforced by it. How to strengthen a slope with geogrid? The algorithm is like this:
1. Level the slope.
2. Lay out the geogrid modules over it, doing this end-to-end.
3.Secure the cells to the slope by driving special hooks or anchors into the ground. 4.Pour soil into the cells.
5.Smooth. If seeds are sown immediately, the soil is watered.
Geogrid allows you to strengthen slopes with a slope of 70°.

GEORETT

This material is made from strips of geosynthetics bonded in such a way as to provide very high performance in protecting slopes from erosion, sliding and landslides. How to strengthen a slope with geogrid?
1. Drive anchors into the ground along the slope area. The marking is made along the perimeter of the module being laid.
2. To ensure maximum reliability of strengthening the slope, lay geotextiles under the geogrid, but you don’t have to do this.
3. Fill the geogrid cells with the selected material (soil or stones). A geogrid can be used to strengthen a slope with a slope of 70°. In operation, it is more reliable than geogrid.

METAL GRID

On very steep slopes, as well as in mountainous and rocky areas, where there is a high probability of rockfall, a more expensive metal mesh is used. It is made by twisting galvanized steel wire in the form of cells of various sizes. Galvanized mesh can be produced with a polymer coating, which extends its service life.

GABIONS

This slope strengthener consists of metal wicker structures like large boxes. Inside they are divided into sections. The wire from which the boxes are made has double torsion, which provides high strength and allows you to preserve the structure as a whole if it breaks in one place.
How to strengthen a slope with gabions? The technology is as follows:
1. Install the first row of boxes at the base of the slope.
2.Attach them to the ground with metal rods.
3.The next row is attached to the previous one using a rigid wire. 4. Fill the installed gabions with stones so that the large ones lie in the corners and along the perimeter.
Such structures serve not only to strengthen slopes, but also to protect against rockfalls. They can be used on slopes of any steepness. Over time, grass and other vegetation appear in the gabion stones, which makes them even more reliable.

LAWN GRILLES

These reinforcing materials are very easy to install, inexpensive and easy to use. They can be used where the surface inclination angle is up to a maximum of 8°. These gratings are made of plastic, which gives the grass surface of the lawn additional stability, but does not decompose in the ground. Lawn gratings are sold in separate 40x60 cm modules, which are fastened to each other with special latches at the work site.

How to strengthen a slope with such structures? First you need to prepare it by pouring a layer of earth or gravel up to 3 cm thick on it, level it, lay the lattice module on top, fill the cells with soil, sow the seeds, and water.

In conclusion, I would like to note that when strengthening slopes, depending on local landscape conditions, it is advisable to simultaneously use several different materials, for example, combining gabions with geomats and geogrid, geogrid with geotextiles, planting trees with biomats or with other materials and structures that provide quick Effect. This will be somewhat more expensive in terms of finances and labor, but it will make it possible to strengthen the slope with high reliability.