The upper part of the back garden is quite steep and during one of the
storms early last year a whole heap of shrubbery, earth slipped down
and over the retaining wall. A couple of trees were dislodged also.

There is a lot to clear up and I'm wondering about putting the
dislodge earth into sandbags and putting on top of and then behind the
retaining wall. This has the advantage of finding somewhere to put a
ton (guessing) of clay type soil, helping to stabilise against further
soil erosion and maybe helping to provide a platform to climb up and
maybe seed some suitable ground cover.

I guess I don't actually want it "flood proof" as I'd not want rain
build up behind.

So do you think the plan is workable? And what of the many varieties
of sandbag would be most suitable? It'll hopefully be there for a
while.

Any other tips?

--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

On Monday, 8 March 2021 at 11:13:51 UTC, AnthonyL wrote:
The upper part of the back garden is quite steep and during one of the
storms early last year a whole heap of shrubbery, earth slipped down
and over the retaining wall. A couple of trees were dislodged also.

There is a lot to clear up and I'm wondering about putting the
dislodge earth into sandbags and putting on top of and then behind the
retaining wall. This has the advantage of finding somewhere to put a
ton (guessing) of clay type soil, helping to stabilise against further
soil erosion and maybe helping to provide a platform to climb up and
maybe seed some suitable ground cover.

I guess I don't actually want it "flood proof" as I'd not want rain
build up behind.

So do you think the plan is workable? And what of the many varieties
of sandbag would be most suitable? It'll hopefully be there for a
while.

Any other tips?

--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

You might be better off using Gabions filled with stone. You do not need the enormous type you often see on motorways there are a variety of sizes. Just the facing side needs to be aesthetically arranged and the back filled ideally with limestone chips although any old rubble will do. They will let water through so no drainage problems and if you leave pockets of soil you can even get a few creepers to take hold.

Richard

On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 03:42:56 -0800 (PST), Tricky Dicky
wrote:

On Monday, 8 March 2021 at 11:13:51 UTC, AnthonyL wrote:
The upper part of the back garden is quite steep and during one of the=20
storms early last year a whole heap of shrubbery, earth slipped down=20
and over the retaining wall. A couple of trees were dislodged also.=20
=20
There is a lot to clear up and I'm wondering about putting the=20
dislodge earth into sandbags and putting on top of and then behind the=20
retaining wall. This has the advantage of finding somewhere to put a=20
ton (guessing) of clay type soil, helping to stabilise against further=20
soil erosion and maybe helping to provide a platform to climb up and=20
maybe seed some suitable ground cover.=20
=20
I guess I don't actually want it "flood proof" as I'd not want rain=20
build up behind.=20
=20
So do you think the plan is workable? And what of the many varieties=20
of sandbag would be most suitable? It'll hopefully be there for a=20
while.=20
=20
Any other tips?=20
=20
--=20
AnthonyL=20
=20
Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

You might be better off using Gabions filled with stone. You do not need th=
e enormous type you often see on motorways there are a variety of sizes. Ju=
st the facing side needs to be aesthetically arranged and the back filled i=
deally with limestone chips although any old rubble will do. They will let =
water through so no drainage problems and if you leave pockets of soil you =
can even get a few creepers to take hold.


Thanks, looks a good shout and am tempted to mix and match with
sandbags. I'll have a closer look.

--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

On 08/03/2021 12:15, AnthonyL wrote:
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 03:42:56 -0800 (PST), Tricky Dicky
wrote:

On Monday, 8 March 2021 at 11:13:51 UTC, AnthonyL wrote:
The upper part of the back garden is quite steep and during one of the=20
storms early last year a whole heap of shrubbery, earth slipped down=20
and over the retaining wall. A couple of trees were dislodged also.=20
=20
There is a lot to clear up and I'm wondering about putting the=20
dislodge earth into sandbags and putting on top of and then behind the=20
retaining wall. This has the advantage of finding somewhere to put a=20
ton (guessing) of clay type soil, helping to stabilise against further=20
soil erosion and maybe helping to provide a platform to climb up and=20
maybe seed some suitable ground cover.=20
=20
I guess I don't actually want it "flood proof" as I'd not want rain=20
build up behind.=20
=20
So do you think the plan is workable? And what of the many varieties=20
of sandbag would be most suitable? It'll hopefully be there for a=20
while.=20
=20
Any other tips?=20
=20
--=20
AnthonyL=20
=20
Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

You might be better off using Gabions filled with stone. You do not need th=
e enormous type you often see on motorways there are a variety of sizes. Ju=
st the facing side needs to be aesthetically arranged and the back filled i=
deally with limestone chips although any old rubble will do. They will let =
water through so no drainage problems and if you leave pockets of soil you =
can even get a few creepers to take hold.


Thanks, looks a good shout and am tempted to mix and match with
sandbags. I'll have a closer look.


Send us a photo of the damage. Structural retaining walls needing
to hold back a considerable amount of wet soil need careful thought.

On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 13:07:55 +0000, Andrew
wrote:

On 08/03/2021 12:15, AnthonyL wrote:
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 03:42:56 -0800 (PST), Tricky Dicky
wrote:

On Monday, 8 March 2021 at 11:13:51 UTC, AnthonyL wrote:
The upper part of the back garden is quite steep and during one of the=20
storms early last year a whole heap of shrubbery, earth slipped down=20
and over the retaining wall. A couple of trees were dislodged also.=20
=20
There is a lot to clear up and I'm wondering about putting the=20
dislodge earth into sandbags and putting on top of and then behind the=20
retaining wall. This has the advantage of finding somewhere to put a=20
ton (guessing) of clay type soil, helping to stabilise against further=20
soil erosion and maybe helping to provide a platform to climb up and=20
maybe seed some suitable ground cover.=20
=20
I guess I don't actually want it "flood proof" as I'd not want rain=20
build up behind.=20
=20
So do you think the plan is workable? And what of the many varieties=20
of sandbag would be most suitable? It'll hopefully be there for a=20
while.=20
=20
Any other tips?=20
=20
--=20
AnthonyL=20
=20
Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

You might be better off using Gabions filled with stone. You do not need th=
e enormous type you often see on motorways there are a variety of sizes. Ju=
st the facing side needs to be aesthetically arranged and the back filled i=
deally with limestone chips although any old rubble will do. They will let =
water through so no drainage problems and if you leave pockets of soil you =
can even get a few creepers to take hold.


Thanks, looks a good shout and am tempted to mix and match with
sandbags. I'll have a closer look.


Send us a photo of the damage. Structural retaining walls needing
to hold back a considerable amount of wet soil need careful thought.

It is quite a difficult location to get a good view of what has
happened.

This picture https://ibb.co/qJCGgvZ is taken on the top of the path
that I am clearing so to the left is the 30' or thereabouts of steep
area going up to the back of the property and the right goes down
about 20' to a lower area.

The top of retaining wall, which is becoming visible, was more or less
level with the bottom of the left-hand slope and so what has happened
is that stuff has slid down over the top of the wall and over the
path, only being stopped from continuing further down at the expense
of a shed that was there and is now crushed against a tree lower down.

So I need to clear what's there and try to back fill some of the stuff
that has come down.

The retaining wall has not been damaged as far as I can see, I haven't
exposed all of it, and the wall did not extend at that height for the
whole length of the path that I am exposing.

There are a couple of trees and more shrubbery further on blocking the
path which winds down to the right past all that mess. I've got an
axe, saw and a chainsaw.

I'd like to put as much back on top as is practical. I'm already 40+
ft above ground level and have no ready route to the road other than
through or over the garage. A big crane from the main road above
might be useful but I guess would cost £x0,000


--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

On 08/03/2021 15:32, AnthonyL wrote:
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 13:07:55 +0000, Andrew
wrote:

On 08/03/2021 12:15, AnthonyL wrote:
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 03:42:56 -0800 (PST), Tricky Dicky
wrote:

On Monday, 8 March 2021 at 11:13:51 UTC, AnthonyL wrote:
The upper part of the back garden is quite steep and during one of the=20
storms early last year a whole heap of shrubbery, earth slipped down=20
and over the retaining wall. A couple of trees were dislodged also.=20
=20
There is a lot to clear up and I'm wondering about putting the=20
dislodge earth into sandbags and putting on top of and then behind the=20
retaining wall. This has the advantage of finding somewhere to put a=20
ton (guessing) of clay type soil, helping to stabilise against further=20
soil erosion and maybe helping to provide a platform to climb up and=20
maybe seed some suitable ground cover.=20
=20
I guess I don't actually want it "flood proof" as I'd not want rain=20
build up behind.=20
=20
So do you think the plan is workable? And what of the many varieties=20
of sandbag would be most suitable? It'll hopefully be there for a=20
while.=20
=20
Any other tips?=20
=20
--=20
AnthonyL=20
=20
Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

You might be better off using Gabions filled with stone. You do not need th=
e enormous type you often see on motorways there are a variety of sizes. Ju=
st the facing side needs to be aesthetically arranged and the back filled i=
deally with limestone chips although any old rubble will do. They will let =
water through so no drainage problems and if you leave pockets of soil you =
can even get a few creepers to take hold.


Thanks, looks a good shout and am tempted to mix and match with
sandbags. I'll have a closer look.


Send us a photo of the damage. Structural retaining walls needing
to hold back a considerable amount of wet soil need careful thought.

It is quite a difficult location to get a good view of what has
happened.

This picture https://ibb.co/qJCGgvZ is taken on the top of the path
that I am clearing so to the left is the 30' or thereabouts of steep
area going up to the back of the property and the right goes down
about 20' to a lower area.


That's a very steep slope !

The retaining wall has not been damaged as far as I can see, I haven't
exposed all of it, and the wall did not extend at that height for the
whole length of the path that I am exposing.

From what I can see the wall does not seem particularly well made
or substantial.
I wonder what sort of foundations and rebar reinforcement it has ?.

There are a couple of trees and more shrubbery further on blocking the
path which winds down to the right past all that mess. I've got an
axe, saw and a chainsaw.

A slope that steep is probably stabilised by roots. Proceed with
caution before you remove too much.

On Mon, 08 Mar 2021 17:26:13 +0000, Chris Hogg wrote:

On Mon, 08 Mar 2021 15:32:57 GMT, lid (AnthonyL)
wrote:


It is quite a difficult location to get a good view of what has
happened.


That's a steep slope. I'm not sure how you're going to position
gabions or sandbags on it to hold it back.

But another approach would be to use a cover of deep-rooted plants to
anchor and stabilise the soil. Vinca, Lamium maculatum (Dead Nettle)
and especially Crown Vetch come to mind. A description of Crown Vetch
and its use, here https://tinyurl.com/y9xjgyhm (OK, so it's an
American description, but it works just as well over here!)
Get seeds here https://tinyurl.com/ycjq2zbs


Thanks Chris. The underlying surface is rock. I think there is now
an area just up from the retaining wall that looks like a bit of a
hollow and I might look at putting something substantial there so I
can build up a bit of soil behind. I'm not sure deep-rooted is going
to work as there is nowhere for deep roots to go, which is why the
vegetation that has tumbled down didn't hold on to its position.


--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

In message , AnthonyL
writes
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 03:42:56 -0800 (PST), Tricky Dicky
wrote:

On Monday, 8 March 2021 at 11:13:51 UTC, AnthonyL wrote:
The upper part of the back garden is quite steep and during one of the=20
storms early last year a whole heap of shrubbery, earth slipped down=20
and over the retaining wall. A couple of trees were dislodged also.=20
=20
There is a lot to clear up and I'm wondering about putting the=20
dislodge earth into sandbags and putting on top of and then behind the=20
retaining wall. This has the advantage of finding somewhere to put a=20
ton (guessing) of clay type soil, helping to stabilise against further=20
soil erosion and maybe helping to provide a platform to climb up and=20
maybe seed some suitable ground cover.=20
=20
I guess I don't actually want it "flood proof" as I'd not want rain=20
build up behind.=20
=20
So do you think the plan is workable? And what of the many varieties=20
of sandbag would be most suitable? It'll hopefully be there for a=20
while.=20
=20
Any other tips?=20
=20
--=20
AnthonyL=20
=20
Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

You might be better off using Gabions filled with stone. You do not need th=
e enormous type you often see on motorways there are a variety of sizes. Ju=
st the facing side needs to be aesthetically arranged and the back filled i=
deally with limestone chips although any old rubble will do. They will let =
water through so no drainage problems and if you leave pockets of soil you =
can even get a few creepers to take hold.


Thanks, looks a good shout and am tempted to mix and match with
sandbags. I'll have a closer look.

Hard to find a cheap woven plastic claiming UV protection.

Those big bags used for bulk deliveries last about 18 months in the
Sun:-(


--
Tim Lamb

On 08/03/2021 14:42, Tim Lamb wrote:
.....
Those big bags used for bulk deliveries last about 18 months in the Sun:-(

At a previous house, the sandbags supplied to us for flood protection
lasted about six months.

--
Colin Bignell

On Mon, 08 Mar 2021 13:52:48 +0000, Chris Hogg wrote:

On Mon, 08 Mar 2021 12:15:33 GMT, lid (AnthonyL)
wrote:



Thanks, looks a good shout and am tempted to mix and match with
sandbags. I'll have a closer look.

Sandbags get to look awfully tatty in a fairly short time. I'd go with
gab ions of the appropriate size, filled with a mix of soil and
stones, and plant rock-plants into the exposed faces.


It's not a part of the garden that is ever going to be seen. Though
rock plants etc would help with re-establishing some vegetation.
Ideally I'd like something that would inhibit the ivy from spreading.
Ivy is everywhere across the properties on that bank right to the top.


--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

On 08/03/2021 11:13, AnthonyL wrote:
The upper part of the back garden is quite steep and during one of the
storms early last year a whole heap of shrubbery, earth slipped down
and over the retaining wall. A couple of trees were dislodged also.

There is a lot to clear up and I'm wondering about putting the
dislodge earth into sandbags and putting on top of and then behind the
retaining wall. This has the advantage of finding somewhere to put a
ton (guessing) of clay type soil, helping to stabilise against further
soil erosion and maybe helping to provide a platform to climb up and
maybe seed some suitable ground cover.

I guess I don't actually want it "flood proof" as I'd not want rain
build up behind.

So do you think the plan is workable? And what of the many varieties
of sandbag would be most suitable? It'll hopefully be there for a
while.

Any other tips?

Used prefilled fabric bags to stabilise/build a retaining wall for a
raised lawn on a National Trust property. Probably about 5ft high.
Then applied grass seed.
Has worked well and looks good .
Was a great deal of work moving the bags though, which included a short
boat trip !

On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 17:20:15 +0000, Robert
wrote:

On 08/03/2021 11:13, AnthonyL wrote:
The upper part of the back garden is quite steep and during one of the
storms early last year a whole heap of shrubbery, earth slipped down
and over the retaining wall. A couple of trees were dislodged also.

There is a lot to clear up and I'm wondering about putting the
dislodge earth into sandbags and putting on top of and then behind the
retaining wall. This has the advantage of finding somewhere to put a
ton (guessing) of clay type soil, helping to stabilise against further
soil erosion and maybe helping to provide a platform to climb up and
maybe seed some suitable ground cover.

I guess I don't actually want it "flood proof" as I'd not want rain
build up behind.

So do you think the plan is workable? And what of the many varieties
of sandbag would be most suitable? It'll hopefully be there for a
while.

Any other tips?

Used prefilled fabric bags to stabilise/build a retaining wall for a
raised lawn on a National Trust property. Probably about 5ft high.
Then applied grass seed.
Has worked well and looks good .
Was a great deal of work moving the bags though, which included a short
boat trip !

I certainly would not want to use pre-filled but using the clay/soil
that has cascaded down in a way that it will be held would be great.

Do you know anything about the fabric bags you used?

I don't need a boat but a helicopter would be jolly useful.


--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

On 08/03/2021 18:51, AnthonyL wrote:
On Mon, 8 Mar 2021 17:20:15 +0000, Robert
wrote:

On 08/03/2021 11:13, AnthonyL wrote:
The upper part of the back garden is quite steep and during one of the
storms early last year a whole heap of shrubbery, earth slipped down
and over the retaining wall. A couple of trees were dislodged also.

There is a lot to clear up and I'm wondering about putting the
dislodge earth into sandbags and putting on top of and then behind the
retaining wall. This has the advantage of finding somewhere to put a
ton (guessing) of clay type soil, helping to stabilise against further
soil erosion and maybe helping to provide a platform to climb up and
maybe seed some suitable ground cover.

I guess I don't actually want it "flood proof" as I'd not want rain
build up behind.

So do you think the plan is workable? And what of the many varieties
of sandbag would be most suitable? It'll hopefully be there for a
while.

Any other tips?

Used prefilled fabric bags to stabilise/build a retaining wall for a
raised lawn on a National Trust property. Probably about 5ft high.
Then applied grass seed.
Has worked well and looks good .
Was a great deal of work moving the bags though, which included a short
boat trip !

I certainly would not want to use pre-filled but using the clay/soil
that has cascaded down in a way that it will be held would be great.

Do you know anything about the fabric bags you used?

I don't need a boat but a helicopter would be jolly useful.



Sorry cant remember but the following links might provide some info on
this approach. The pre-seeding rings a bell.
A great deal of labour was involved in my project due to the multiple
handling involved in getting them on site.

https://www.ahs-deltalok.co.uk/what-is-deltalok

http://rootlok.co.uk/vegetated-wall-...rootlok-system

I am sure there are others as well.