In landscaping and civil engineering, a berm is an elevated mounded hill or peak of clay soil usually built to serve several practical and day-to-day purposes.
Thus, constructing a berm includes placing and giving shape to the topsoil or additional materials to make a raised space.
Raising the ground level in a particular area berm turns the water flow, avoiding erosion and handling the direction of runoffs. This dynamic approach to water management is significant in areas prone to excess flooding or heavy rainfall.
But how to build a berm most efficiently? Let’s find out in the article below!
1. Steps to Build a Berm
Overall, building a composite process requires proper planning and execution. Here is a complete comprehensive guide to help you learn the essential aspects to consider while constructing them:
1.1. Choosing Site and Preparation
Firstly, find the location and start by selecting the ideal area for building your berm by considering a few factors such as drainage system, aesthetics, and essential purpose.
After that, clean the chosen site of any vegetation, rocks, or scraps using shovels, rakes, and other essential tools.
1.2. Excavation
Secondly, fill the material appropriately by employing heavy equipment like an excavator to dig the base of your flat surface. This includes the removal of topsoil from the designated space and filling dirt where the berm rises.
1.3. Giving Shape to the Berm
Third, make the curving shape using the excavated area to the particular focal point berm according to the desired design and intended operation.
After that, ensure the created shape aligns with your aim, whether for aesthetic purposes, controlling erosion, or other reasons.
1.4. Planting and Vegetation
Later, choose a suitable weeping blue atlas cedar plant for vegetation of your berm, considering some factors such as soil type, weather, and aesthetics. It is better to select native plants as they are good at adaptability.
In this case, dig the berm at suitable intervals on the berm’s surface area and install plant the chosen vegetation. Moreover, it ensures healthy growth and development.
1.5. Drainage Concern
If required, install drainage elements such as perforated pipe or gravel-filled trenches in the berm to handle water runoffs effectively.
Make sure water flows easily from the building and vulnerable areas.
1.6. Mulching and Maintenance
Apply mulch on the berm surface to sustain moisture, help control weeds, and safeguard the soil.
After the commitment to regular maintenance that includes watering, weeding, and continuous pouring of planted vegetation.
1.7. Alternate Features
You should elevate a berm’s visual look by integrating decorative components such as rocks or other ornaments.
1.8. Final Inspection
After the berm is built, inspect the well to check its stability and make appropriate drainage considerations. Also, make sure it meets your functional and aesthetic expectations.
1.9. Check and Adjust
Lastly, you should track the berm’s performance, especially regarding water management and plant growth. Then, it is ready to make adjustments to maintain Berm’s operationality and look over some time.
Last but not least, by following and incorporating the above steps and considerations, you can adequately build a berm border that serves its expected purpose and elevates the surrounding area.
Overall, building a berm is a dynamic procedure that needs appropriate attention to detail and continuous care to get the best results.
2. Materials and Tools Requirement
Various materials and tools are essential for the construction procedure for bundling a berm. Here is a complete list you will be requiring:
2.1. Materials
Firstly, a significant amount of topsoil is needed to build a berm. Overall, the quantity depends on the plant size and height of the berm. Next, use compost or organic matter to amend the soil’s good fertility and plant-appropriate growth.
After that, mulching is vital for protecting soil moisture, covering weeds, and removing the aesthetic of the berm.
Above all, choose the best drought-tolerant plants suited for the berm, including raised elements like groundcover, shrubs, and beautiful small plants.
So, the kind and quantities will depend on your designs if mandatory drainage materials such as perforated pipes and gravel are used for drainage features in the berm.
Last but not least, there is a requirement for decorative items like rocks, boulders, or any other accessories to enhance the landscape berm’s beautiful look.
2.2. Tools
Make sure to have all kinds of shovels that involve flat areas and are pointed for digging purposes, move soil from one place to another, and give shape to the berm.
For the most part, rakes are beneficial for smoothing and leveling the good soil on the berm surface area. Next is the wheelbarrow, which helps transport soil, compost, mulch, and materials around the construction area.
In most cases, heavy equipment such as excavators or bulldozers excavates the base and shapes the berm surface area. Thus, a compactor or roller is essential for compacting the soil layers to ensure stability when building the berm.
On the whole, use shears for trimming and maintaining the planting greenery. Using an irrigation tool involves hoses, sprinklers, or drip irrigation to allow water to flow to the berm during and after construction.
To protect your hands, use gloves while planting and maintaining tasks. Hence, depending on the scale of your project, make sure to use safety gear like helmets, gloves, and glasses, mainly while using heavy machines.
2.3. Additional Essentials
First, use surveying equipment to measure the berm’s steep slope and contour to meet your desired design specification.
Secondly, outlining the berm shapes and height ensures the use of stakes and strings. Next, for controlling the weed, particularly if you want to form a low-maintenance berm.
As a result, analyzing the soil composition and pH level in the soil testing kit helps you make a well-informed decision and understand the clayey soil amendments.
Therefore, choose a suitable fertilizer based on soil test outcomes and plant needs. Lastly, you should ensure enough water is available for irrigation after building the berm.
In summary, using the materials mentioned above and tools, you are ready to build a berm that meets your landscaping aim while ensuring its stability and longevity.
3. Benefits of Building a Berm
Berms hold importance in landscaping berms and make them a meaningful addition to more than one peak and engineering project.
Let’s discover the benefits of any other civil engineering applications due to their multipurpose benefits:
3.1. Erosion Control
Firstly, berms help prevent erosion and act as an effective barrier that slows water runoff. It also helps in removing soil erosion on slopes and high-risk areas.
It is essential for maintaining soil reliability and forbidding sediment runoff inside the water bodies.
3.2. Stormwater Management
Because of an effective drainage system, an entire berm helps manage water drains and stormwater runoffs. They redirect water from structures, removing floods and water damage.
3.3. Improvised Drainage
To enhance soil drainage in bad areas, berms are designed to direct too much water away from the plant’s roots, avoiding waterlogging.
3.4. Aesthetic Improvement
Berm adds visual interest in the landscape by crafting altitude changes for aesthetic improvement.
Over there, they can be shaped and planted well with different kinds of vegetation, increasing the overall aesthetics of the particular area.
3.5. Privacy and Screen
Using natural screens, berms provide an organic way to form privacy screens, blocking unwanted views or giving solitude in outdoor areas.
3.6. Microclimatic Creation
In this case, berms regulate microclimate by offering windbreaks and shades. Temperature regulation helps cultivate an extensive range of plants and grow more.
3.7. Habitat Creation
Besides, berms planted with vegetation might create a habitat for local wildlife, foster biodiversity, and support pollinators.
3.8. Noise Reduction
It helps absorb and deflect sound by making them efficient sound barriers that decrease the influence of nearby traffic or any other noisy environment.
3.9. Increase in Property Rate
In this case, a properly designed berm plays an essential role in increasing the curb appeal of the property, possibly by enhancing its value.
3.10. Versatility
Berms are used for multiple purposes like making rain gardens, raising vegetable beds, or adding tension to gardening unique designs.
3.11. Sustainable Landscaping
Overall, berms provide many environmental benefits like sustainable landscaping by decreasing water runoffs, preserving soils, and supporting native plants.
3.12. Outdoor Seating Area and Recreation
In the gardens and beautiful park settings, berms can be designed to involve seating areas by creating a unique and inviting space for relaxation and recreation.
4. Essential Considerations for Building a Berm
Overall, while building a berm, some lesser-known facts and considerations might easily influence the accomplishment of your project.
So, without wasting time, let’s discover the unknown aspect of berm construction:
4.1. Soil Compression Matters
Compressing the soil layers properly while building a berm is essential because appropriate compression ensures stability and helps prevent over a period.
4.2. Appropriate Flow Design
An efficient flow system is essential. Berm must have a little slope that redirects the water flow away from the structures or places prone to flooding.
Consider the addition of drainage pipes and a gravel trench to handle the accessibility of water.
4.3. Selection of Plant Matters
You should prefer choosing native plants if possible. They are sometimes resilient, need low maintenance, and offer good support for local wildlife.
4.4. Exposure to Sun
Later, evaluate the sun path and shade patterns in your landscape area. After that, locate the taller plants on the north side of the berm to avoid shading shorter plants.
4.5. Soil Testing
Here, the soil testing is helpful as it determines the soil pH and land nutrient levels. This information helps you in selecting the appropriate plants and amendments.
4.6. Energy Efficiency
It acts as a natural insulation for energy efficiency use around buildings, regulating indoor temperature and decreasing heat levels and cooling prices.
4.7. Seasonal Change
In this case, make sure the top of the berm stands out in all seasons and keep a check on its appearance and functions. On the whole, most of the other plants might offer winter interest.
4.8. Safety Precaution
If using heavy tools for excavation, take proper safety precautions. Ensure operators are well trained and safety gear is correctly worn.
In short, this lesser-known fact will help you build a berm that looks wonderful, runs efficiently, and allows the local environment.
5. Tips for Conducting the Final Examination
Last but not least, conducting the final examination is an essential step in building a berm or landscaping project. Here is a comprehensive explanation of the significance and procedure of the last inspection:
5.1. Verification of Structural Integrity
When you approach the final inspection, it is necessary to verify the structural integrity of the berm. Berm shapes and sizes have been constructed per the specified landscape designer parameters.
5.2. Examine Discharge Patterns
Subsequent regular examination of discharge patterns is the most important.
Check any discharge components such as perforated pipe, swales, or gravel-filled trenches to ensure they have been installed appropriately and are operational as intended.
5.3. Evaluate Plant Health
Later, evaluate the health and situation of the planted vegetation. Be attentive towards any sign of stress, infections, or improper development. Ensure that planting is flourishing as expected.
5.4. Soil Stability
Measure the soil layers’ stability in the berm area. It involves inspecting for appropriate compacting to remove settling or erosion.
5.5. Infiltration Efficacy
In this, check the berm infiltration system, find whether the water is directed appropriately, and ensure it meets the expectations.
5.6. Aesthetic Appeal
Make sure to consider the aesthetic appeal of the berm. Check if it meets the more natural-looking appearance during the planning period.
5.7. Ground Coverage
Following, examine the application of soil mulch. Next, ensure it is adequately spread to sustain the moisture, control weeds, and increase the berm design look.
5.8. Amendment with Designed Plans
Above all, the finished berm is compared to the first design plan and specification. After that, confirm whether the construction aligns with the original or not.
5.9. Accessibility and Performance
In that case, evaluate the accessibility and performance of the berm. Next, ensure it serves its intended use, whether soil erosion control, aesthetic, or other.
5.10 Make Required Adjustment
Address the issues or any discrepancies recognized during the inspection period. If that aspect of the berm construction does not meet the expected requirement, take appropriate action to rectify it.
5.11. Document the Survey
In short, document the final survey’s outcome and note the findings, suggestions, or adjustment meets. This documentation serves as a meaningful record of the project’s completion. In conclusion, the final survey is a severe phase of building a berm.
By actively accessing the berm structure integrity, drainage functionality, plant development, and aesthetics, you must ensure that the project meets its intended aims and standards.
Appropriate attention to the details during these stages guarantees a prosperous and efficient berm in your landscape.
6. Final Words
With proper planning, the right selection of materials and tools, and attentiveness to every detail, you are well on your way to building a berm that will serve its expected purpose and add beauty and functionality to the landscape.
Every step will provide a more aesthetically compelling, environmentally conscious, and peaceful outdoor space.
In short, it emphasizes the benefits of using berm, like their ability to increase the overall aesthetic of a remaining landscape while, on the other hand, adding raised elements.
Integrating berms into the landscaping or building project can actively shape the climate to suit their requirements and objectives. Enjoy the procedure and the excellent outcome that awaits you!
Last Updated on by Gourvi Gupta
The article is well-structured, with a logical flow from the introduction to the final words, and the use of images enhances understanding. The writer’s encouraging tone in the concluding remarks creates a positive and motivating impact on the reader.
This detailed explanation not only serves as a practical resource for those planning to build a berm but also fosters an appreciation for the environmental and aesthetic benefits associated with this landscaping technique.
This comprehensive guide provides valuable insights into the process of building a berm, emphasizing its practical and aesthetic significance. The step-by-step instructions, from site selection to final inspection, offer a clear roadmap for anyone interested in undertaking such a landscaping project.