Now that summer has arrived, you're likely thinking about sprucing up your home garden. However, if your lawn frequently experiences flooding, planting flowers that last might be easier said than done. If this is the case, you may benefit from a retaining wall. Commonly misjudged only as barriers, these useful structures play several important roles.

What Does a Retaining Wall Do?

First, retaining walls help keep your soil in place. If your land is on a downward grade, continual rainwater can cause erosion, leaving your topsoil thin and not ideal for planting. However, with stone anchored down, the soil won't have anywhere to go.

Additionally, retaining walls can help with drainage. By blocking the flow of water, they allow your soil to stay moist. However, when there's a real downpour, water can escape through small openings known as "weep holes" that prevent standing water.

Finally, you can rely on retaining walls to mark the boundary of your property, and they even make pleasant seating if you throw a party in the backyard.

Will Your Yard Benefit From One?

If your yard is in a hilly region, it can be tough to do any gardening since there isn't an ample spread of flat, workable land. In this case, retaining walls can create lengthy planting beds for a gorgeous, vertically oriented garden. Similarly, you'll need level land if you plan to build a pool, and the walls will help you smooth out the soil.

On the other hand, when your property lies in the lowlands, retaining walls can help protect you from flooding. When water comes rushing down, the walls will divert it elsewhere. This is also important if you live downhill of a soil fault line, as soil will move away from the line and toward your property if there's any significant disturbance.

 

If you think your lawn might benefit from a retaining wall, reach out to KPM Landscape in St. Charles, MO. Bringing three decades of experience to every job, this team of specialists will help enhance your hardscape and protect your land. To set up a free consultation, call (636) 699-5782. You can also learn more about the company by visiting their website.