Covering a retaining wall.

okbillieanne · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 22 Feb 2010 Posts: 4

Hi,

I am wondering if anyone could help with suggestions in relation to covering a concrete retaining wall approximately 8 feet high.

I am in the process of building it at present. Unfortunately I will be looking at it though my kitchen window.

There will be concrete at the base of the wall and the house will be approx 4 meters from the wall. The land at the top of the wall has been described as Grey till.

I hope someone can advice me on this matter.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Billie Anne

kindredspirit · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:40 pm Post subject:

Can you post a pic of the area?

Is the soil at the back of the retaining wall up to the full height of the wall?

Is the land on the other side of the wall your's?

In what direction does the wall face? Does it get sun at any time of the day?

Questions, questions, questions. Smile

If you've concrete at the base of your wall, you've three remedies; 1; creeper type things growing down from the top of the wall. 2; Pots at the bottom of the wall. 3; Circular holes cut into the concrete at the base of the wall. (NB, I've just done the last one.)

okbillieanne · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 22 Feb 2010 Posts: 4

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.

The wall is not built yet so there is no point in putting up pictures.

The Soil is right up to the top of the wall and goes an about 6 meters back. I have at present getting to tiers put into the embankment in the hope to be able to plan an orchard on the top level and some shrubs or plants on the second level.

The wall is facing south but my house will be built in front of it (about 4 meter from the house), so not sure how much sun it will actually get.

I hope to start planting soon, so that by the time I move into the house next year, things might have started to grow.

Now I am intrigued by your third option. I don't really understand what you mean. If you have any pictures I would appreciate having a look at them.

Feel free to keep asking questions as the more I discuss it I hope to come up with a plan of action. I truly do not want to be looking at a big concrete wall at the back of my new home.

Thanks again for your advice

Billie Anne
Very Happy

kindredspirit · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:12 pm Post subject:

okbillieanne · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 22 Feb 2010 Posts: 4

Sorry I described it wrong, there is going to be tarmac at the bottom of the wall.
I would prefer something that flowering all year round would be nice. I suppose it would also be wise to avoid anything that could weaken the wall.
I know, it's a tall order!

How did yours work out?

kindredspirit · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:33 am Post subject:

okbillieanne · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 22 Feb 2010 Posts: 4

I look forward to seeing your pictures. It sounds like it will be lovely.

Thank again for your advice.

Billie Anne

kindredspirit · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:00 pm Post subject:

Four pics taken today.

The first is of an area that was made in the centre of the concrete (before we tarmaced it over last week) for a bamboo screen. We cut two 10" holes at either end first, then joined them up with a concrete cutting saw. You can see the effect of the frosts on our bamboo. Mad

The second and third are of 6" holes with wavin pipe inserted for the ivies. I'll pull the wavin pipe out in about a month's time after the tarmac has really hardened.

The last pic is of a border alongside the stone wall for yellow_stemmed bamboo. The wall is 1½ metres high and we'll pull off the lower leaves from the bamboo, when it has grown, in order to see the wall.