Building A New Backyard Berm...

Do you want to know how to build a backyard berm? Is your backyard a swamp? Do you have low lying areas in your backyard? Take a look at the steps involved as we started our new backyard berm, right to completion.

The image to the right shows the start of our new backyard berm for the 2010 gardening season. Visible is the wooden retaining wall that Jim built.

Since we wanted our new backyard berm to be high only on one side, we decided to build the retaining wall to help hold back the dirt. On this side of our backyard is a wire fence, incapable of holding back any dirt/fill.

Once the wall was completed, we dumped wheelbarrows of dirt/fill to form the berm. As mentioned on my other berm page, most of the time you can get the clean fill for free, however we paid for ours.

As we dumped and formed the dirt, we used the water roller to pack down.

This is a necessary step as we want to plant a new evergreen, re-locate an old evergreen to this location and plant other new shrubs. If the soil is loose and not packed, the new trees will not take.

The image to the right shows the 4 way garden mix soil that we added to the top of the rolled/packed dirt. Our dog Molly inspects the new berm. Once the garden mix soil is added and rolled, sod can be placed. In the image you can see the little tree that we transplanted from another area of the backyard.

When planting or transplanting shrubs and trees, remember to add a handful of MYKE's growth hormone. Next comes the planting of the new evergreens, garden shrubs and the laying of sod.

The next two images show sod being laid. Notice how the pieces are laid off-set. The sod we used is mineral sod and not the peat sod.

Mineral sod is a bit more expensive per piece and the size is also a foot shorter, however the grass adheres stronger and is the same type of grass used for city parks where heavy foot traffic is expected.

Once down, make sure to add soil between the cracks to join the pieces. I always like to step lightly once I have added the soil. This seems to help bind the sod pieces. Next, use the water roller and roll the new laid sod. Then...water...water...and water.

Within 2 weeks the grass will have taken root and in usual circumstances, can be mowed. If laying sod close to trees, please remember to leave enough space around the trees and shrubs. I do not fertilize newly laid sod in its first year.

Have you Built A Berm? Click here to add your berm story.

The image below shows the completed berm...retaining wall, dirt, sod, trees, shrubs and the limestone to cover any of the wooden retaining wall.

The image below shows our continuation of sodding. Now all we need is the rain for the sod to root and to fuse the sod pieces together. I will add another image in 2 weeks to show the progress of the sod.

The image below shows how well the backyard berm developed, 3 weeks later.

Have You Built A Berm? Why? How?

Have you built a berm in your backyard? Tell us why a berm was important for your landscaping design and better yet, share how You completed the project!

Enter Your Title (ex.,"Building a Berm for Noise Pollution")

Share with us why building a berm was important in Your landscaping design... And don't forget to add the steps. We are all about learning and sharing! [ ? ]