AboutMarc Chapelle, ASLA Expertise As a licensed Landscape Architect, I can answer general questions about style and design, ideas and suggestions for site amenities, larger site-planning issues, or recreation and park design.
IF YOU JUST WANT A PLANT SUGGESTION GO HERE: http://www.growit.com/PlantInfo/LandScape.htm
I prefer you ask somebody else why your petunias are not as perky as they should be...I'd LOVE to tell you how can use those petunias to increase your home's value!
Experience Member, American Society of Landscape Architects (ALSA.org); Past clients have been mostly contractors, developers and local civil engineering/architecture firms, plus the occasional homeowner. Currently, I design recreational facilities for the National Park Service (DOI).
I am located in the dry Great Basin area (Greater Nevada/Utah), so the use of landscape materials OTHER than plants is emphasized. As a licensed Landscape Architect on the East and West Coasts, I have been in practice over 20 years.
Organizations ASLA (ASLA.org)
Education/Credentials BSLA in Landscape Architecture, 1989
Many additional seminars, educational venues, and classes (both taught & attended)
Awards and Honors Best Multifamily project, 1993
Best Model Home Landscaping, 1993
Question Hello! I am looking to landscape my back yard with "pavers" as a walk way and small deck, also with sod. However my yard is on a slope and the drainage is poor along the back wall. in additions in one corner the ground appears to be caving in. How can I improve the soil stability and drainage with out needing to hire a professional? thanks-Tam
Answer You are asking for future erosion trouble paving on a slope, without reinforcing the underlaying ground. Adding sod (with irrigation) will only add to potential for problems. Water is a very powerful force that carves canyons and gullies as it seeks the lowest spot to flow towards. "Caving in" is not a good sign.
I would suggest a geo-grid, at a minimum, to stabilize the slope, if you intend to fill on top of it and lay pavers.
It is not easy, and if done poorly, it can make things worse.
If your intention is to place a deck over the slope on pilings, then all you need to do is make sure the footings go deep enough so that IF the slope were to "sluff" away, it won't take the deck with it.
(Look down toward the end of the link; "Note for hillside Piers & footings" - the Code referred to is the UBC or Uniform Building Code - you code will vary depending on your geographic location)
If you want to improve the drainage, intercept the water as it sheds off of your home using rain gutters and re-direct the downflow via pipes to below the slope area. Teh best wat to prevent erosion is to get the water off of the slope face. Don't dump it into the "caved in" part of your yard. You'll only mke it worse.
