Gabions are really useful when you can't dig footings but need to retain soil or create raised beds. They can be built on compacted ground, or a small bed of compacted MOT Type 1 hard core (scalpings).
Garden Design - Denham - Buckinghamshire - under construction
I have designed gardens around four new houses for a property developer on this sloping site in Denham, Buckinghamshire. The site is surrounded by woodland and the tree roots cannot be disturbed.
Garden Design - Denham - Buckinghamshire - under construction
The boundaries of the gardens have been defined using gabion baskets filled with stone to retain the new terraced levels and create separation from the adjoining woodland. The gabion retaining walls blend well into their surroundings and do not interfere with the tree roots. This is an aesthetically pleasing way to deal with a practical problem.
Garden Design - Denham - Buckinghamshire - under construction
Gabions are also quick to build and therefore much cheaper than brick or blockwork. However, they must be built carefully so that they lean back into the slope they are retaining - this is called a batter. They also need quite a substantial - usually 1m wide - bottom course. The front of the gabion basket should also be wired into a supporting post behind the gabion at intervals to stop the baskets bowing outwards when filled.
Garden Design - Denham - Buckinghamshire - under construction
You can keep costs to a minimum by using a gabion stone like this one from
Miles Stone which is simply tipped into the gabion baskets. A more polished look can be achieved, like these curved gabion walls with a stacked stone facing in my St Albans, Hertfordshire garden design. However, these will take longer to construct, require a larger quantity of more expensive fill material and therefore cost more - sometimes almost as much as a brick or blockwork wall.
Garden Design - St Albans - Hertfordshire
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