Steep bank erosion problem

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by Mark Smith, Jan 2, 2021.

  1. Mark Smith

    Mark Smith Apprentice Gardener

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    A very steep bank, id say 45 - 60 degrees easy and no chance of walking up it. Its dry and sandy in alot of places and is slowly falling down. Roots from trees are really showing now and am at my wits end generally cleaning it all up .i need some good, deep, spreading ground cover and fairly quickly. Any ideas please? - Geraniums seem to do fairly well on it but theres some vertical bits where the dirt has just eroded. thanks (In Leicester so always wet lol)
     
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    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Can you post an image of the bank, Mark? It would be a great help to give members an idea of the problem. How high and how long is it?:scratch:
       
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      • Mark Smith

        Mark Smith Apprentice Gardener

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        something like this - not mine but very similar as its now dark for a pic lol. its the top bit im worried about more where its really falling away. very sandy and im seeing roots from the trees above.
         

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      • Mark Smith

        Mark Smith Apprentice Gardener

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        stream-bank-erosion-highly-eroded-riverbank-tree-roots-exposed-undercut-54217473.jpg

        the top is similiar to this - its really falling away.
         
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        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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          Is this bank in your garden? I'll amend that question after reading your post properly. But if your problem bank is very much like the image then I could only see it being cured by the below advice.
          Either way the only solution I can see is to substantially replace/remake the bank with several tons of a mixture of hardcore/clay/soil so that it inclines away from the bank. I would also lay at least two layers of something like Chicken Wire along the length as the soil is being laid to help stop any further erosion. Looking at the image I would say you might need around around 90 ton of soil/clay/hardcore, maybe more, but any half hearted attempt to just make do will not do the job.:dunno:
           
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          • Mark Smith

            Mark Smith Apprentice Gardener

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            ah ok.... i was thinking of some plants to hold it all together at least lol (in the short term at least)
             
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            • ARMANDII

              ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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              I don't think that would be the answer, Mark, as the problem seems to have gone beyond that.:dunno:
               
            • Mark Smith

              Mark Smith Apprentice Gardener

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              ok thank you .
               
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              • NigelJ

                NigelJ Total Gardener

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                @Mark Smith
                A photo or two would be useful as would some dimensions.
                 
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                • ricky101

                  ricky101 Total Gardener

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                  A photo from a wider angle to show the bank in relation to the rest of your garden and house would help.

                  If there is so much erosion, might be a bit more concerend about the general area, not just the bank.

                  Is this a property newish to you or something thats only recenty started , ie , somethings happened thats affected the water table / drainage ?
                   
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                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                    Almost looks like an eroded riverbank in the picture.????
                     
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                    • Scrungee

                      Scrungee Well known for it

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                      Chicken wire can't even restrain a Badger, let alone 90 tonnes of fill material.

                      It's been well over 40 years since I had to design a retaining wall for an examination question, but from the images it looks like it's time to consult a either a structural engineer, or the services of a company who specialise in preventing bank collapse
                       
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                      • ARMANDII

                        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                        Mesh laid over soil has been used many times to hold in layers of bank soil as it helps slow down erosion through water flow/drainage when covered by soil/hard core and was even used in the building of the Panama Canal.:dunno:
                        So, it's not used as a retaining wall but as an internal method of holding soil etc in place.
                         
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                        • Spruce

                          Spruce Glad to be back .....

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                          Hi , its looks like water damage is that a stream ?
                          Gabion cages would be the best option and fill with stones

                          [​IMG]
                           
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                          • Scrungee

                            Scrungee Well known for it

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                            Looking up the slope at the size of trees there, even stone filled gabions might need securing with ground anchors. It requires a professional's expert opinion.
                             
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