How to build a landscaping berm

[@pa4life]

Well made video. Thanks

[@TheHappyHootie]

I appreciate that. Thanks for your kind remarks!

[@amberjay5361]

Exactly what I needed! You are a lifesaver. I planted some arborvitae 8-12-22 and I think I’ve over watered them. So I’m going to try to save them buy building this. Thank you!

[@TheHappyHootie]

Let us know how it works out for you. Thanks for your kind comments!

[@gloriatucker6158]

My evergreen turned a silvery grey, then brown. I'm removing it next week, intending to build a berm and plant a few more. Amy tips

[@toddpokorny1]

Termites are also less attracted to cedar than other mulches. I offer that advice to customers placing mulch near their home. Maybe it does not apply as much in this situation since it's not near a structure but I always advise to use it. Good video!

[@TheHappyHootie]

Thanks! Yes. If it is near a structure we use rock but cedar just holds up better than most. It does grey out after a season or so but a quick turning will keep it going for another year or more: thanks for the kind remarks!

[@156aliciasy]

Thank you Gerry this is exactly what I was looking for!

[@on4acres]

Looks great, I think the geo textile is definitely optional if you use enough mulch. But it came out great.

[@TheHappyHootie]

I will look into it. I had not tried geo textile

[@LisaJones-br8qm]

Thank you! Great video!

[@TheHappyHootie]

Thank you! We try. ;-)

[@carolynneelizabeth6459]

Everything was great, however; I noticed you didn't do any edging or dig out a trench surrounding your birm. When the rain and snow fall, what's to prevent the mulch from sliding down all over your lawn? I really enjoyed your video in spite of that. Thank you

[@TheHappyHootie]

Thank you.. so far it hasn’t been an issue. Snow might be a problem but we went out and raked it recently as we built a pond into the side.

[@LetsCatchYourDream]

Zone 7 now! Hello Neighbor. We are in St. Louis, MO. found you because we need better longer lasting berms.

[@TheHappyHootie]

Well. With climate change I wish you well. These thuja green giants were my favorite for the area… until they weren’t. You may be far enough north to still be able to take advantage.

[@flightrn1560]

Did you layer your dirt with fill/gravel, then clay then top soil and did you tamp it down?

[@TheHappyHootie]

Well… no… that would have been better probably. We had access to topsoil… so… it is all topsoil . The plants are thriving! Lol

[@whathappens5501]

Turned out nice. That dirt will allow those trees to explode with growth!

[@TheHappyHootie]

Thanks

[@MountainwoodCottages]

What is the dimension of your berm? WIdth and length?

[@TheHappyHootie]

If I had to guess it would be about 15 wide by 40-50 long. It is a bean shape so it varies some. Making a berm a little “awkward” and not symmetrical makes it seem more natural in my opinion.

[@DeborahMcLaren]

Where’s a pic of the final project? Is it ok to do this over hard (wet) clay soil in order to plant a desert willow?

[@TheHappyHootie]

While I’m not an arborist, I can say that desert willows grow on most soils; including dry clay, loam, and sand; tolerant of acidic and alkaline soil conditions. Just make sure you are in zone 7-11 according to google.

[@ElHeskett]

How do you calculate soil needed for a berm since it is a slope?

[@TheHappyHootie]

I calculate it as if it were a triangle and then manually slope it to the shape you want it. You can use this as an example I found online if it helps. mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.09/h/jim4.html

[@persistentone3448]

Is the only purpose of the landscape cloth to suppress weed growth?

[@TheHappyHootie]

That is the primary purpose. Eventually it will need to be torn out and replaced, but if you utilize good quality and use higher grade mulch (cedar) it will take a while for weeds to start showing up. If you do not plan on putting plants and just having an earthen berm you could just spray it every year with sterilizer.

[@niceguybille]

Have you ever seen/heard of somebody building a berm and covering it with sod?

[@darrinlindsey]

This is not the proper way to build a berm. Landscape fabric should never be used on a berm. They should be started with excavation of 3-4" of the entire desired shape. Pile all of that material in the center of that trench. Then, use scraps and junk (broken up concrete is good. Use fill dirt to fill around the scraps. A good layer of clay soil is next. This should be at least 4" thick. Then, finish out with top soil and mulch.

[@Randy58-zn4ez]

The landscape fabric is a fail. Never use that trash.

[@TheHappyHootie]

What do you use?

[@Randy58-zn4ez]

@@TheHappyHootie I just use mulch the landscape fabric blocks moisture and air from the roots and trap moister. So under the fabric you have waterlogged soil with no oxygen. Plus as the fabric breaks down it turns into microplastics.