Stabilising a clay bank 2

Posts

• Dovefromabove Posts: 88,138

  May 2015

  Hi Des

  Here's your earlier thread about the clay bank http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/problem-solving/stabilising-a-clay-bank/608083.html

  I've bumped it up for you.

  To find your old threads you can go to your user name in the top right hand corner and you'll get a drop down pick list - My Posts, My Messages etc (those are Private Messages between members - they don't appear on the forum) , My Settings etc.  Click on My Posts and scroll through until you find the one you want

  
  Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Posy Posts: 3,601

  May 2015

  We have a bank next to farmland, though not as long or steep as yours. When we moved in it was densely overgrown with bramble, native honeysuckle and wild roses. It took time and effort to tame it but the effect, now, of flowers and fruit is delightful. It looks natural as a barrier to grazing land, wildlife loves it and the soil hasn't moved an inch.

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• Blue Onion Posts: 2,995

  May 2015

  I think if you just cut up wire coat hangers, bent the wire in half so each side is at least five or six inches long, and then shoved that through the wire into the clay so it was true verticle instead of perpendicular to the soil, I think it would hold fine.  Space them about every two feet or so.  Otherwise them make a sort of screw in one, like a massively oversized drywall anchor.  

  Utah, USA.

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• Desthemoaner Posts: 191

  May 2015

  Thanks all for your further advice.

    When we moved here last July, the clay bank was almost totally bare apart from the odd plant and clump of grass here and there. However, this year the density of grass on the face of the bank has considerably increased, and I'm wondering whether this is likely to make it more stable? If so, I might simply let the grass do the business and leave the bank as Nature intended. Its certainly the solution I would choose if given the option, because unlike the addition of wire netting,  it requires no work from me!

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• Desthemoaner Posts: 191

  March 2017

  Apologies for resurrecting this now ancient discussion, but I'm interested to know whether anyone has an answer to my previous question about grass growing on the bank which was the subject of the thread.

  The previous owners appear to have discouraged, even suppressed the growth of grass on this clay bank, because as stated above, there was hardly any to be seen when we moved in.

  Over the last two and a half years I've let Nature take its course and the grass on the bank is now quite thick, and thickening by the day. I've secured chicken wire to the face of the slope in the places where I think stability is most likely to be compromised, and so far things are looking OK.

  So yes--am I right in thinking that allowing the growth of grass would have a positive effect on the stability of a four foot high, near vertical clay bank?

  Last edited: 19 March 2017 13:42:56

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• BobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

  March 2017

  Some grasses are much better than others for erosion control and you see them on steep banks surrounding ancient castles.  Check this page under 'steep slopes' for some suitable types:

  http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grasses-slopes-25940.html

  A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  

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• Desthemoaner Posts: 191

  March 2017

  Thanks Bob, that's exactly what I was looking for. Much obliged. 

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