Re: Berms

Hi, Karen:

A berm is a raised area, usually of dirt or a combo of materials which, in 
our case,  is effective in creating topography where only flat land existed. 
You'll often see them used on high traffic roads to create privacy and screen 
residential areas from the noise and view. They can be very attractive if 
well designed and planted. In our case, the dirt came from excavating on site 
here and often can be had for free by contacting nearby new subdivisions 
which spend tons of money hauling away the excavation dirt from the houses 
going up. Sometimes you can even get the topsoil if they have limited space 
to store it until the house is finished. This would go on top of your berm as 
the base dirt is usually not good for direct planting.

We're tickled that the berms we put in have contributed great focal interest 
and have broken up a rather boring entrance to the front of the house and the 
garage area. We incorporated the existing trees, using retention walls of 
large stones are barriers for the new dirt around them and to protect their 
source of oxygen. The berms undulate, giving a more natural appearance. We're 
also adding more native trees, shrubs and grasses this fall and the ground 
cover will follow in the spring. We had no equipment to do the work 
ourselves, so hired our mower to use his Bobcat to smooth and shape the 
berms, which he accomplished in short order in an affordable way for us.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking to add some height and interest to 
their property...or to screen out an unfriendly neighbor ;-P , and it's 
wonderfrul to watch as it takes shape...we did have to move some plants to 
accomodate this work, but all are fine and replanted or heeled in on an 
unfinished berm until they can be planted in a final spot. 

Hope this helps Karen.

Joanie
Z5a

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