Troublesome earth bank - How  to  cover it .

[Elizabeth]

Hi, I have a big problem. Picture a large bank of earth about 20ft long and 8ft tall. This was top soil and forms one boundary of a garden area. The weed seeds having been disturbed are having a great time , dock, nettle, thistle and every other horrid invader.
For various reasons weed killer is not an option.
My main query is does concrete adhere to soil??
Next query is if there is any material such as weed membrane to which concrete does adhere.
I picture treating sheets of something with a coating of concrete and laying them over the surface.
Gaps could be left for some plants to take the bare look away.
The solution has to be something not involving heavy material as I am a very senior citizen who still loves to build walls but draws the line at carting slabs or such up that bank. I have a picture of the bank but don't know if it is possible to upload it. Thank you.

[bobhughes]

There are lots od different weed control mats available. I am not sure why you want to use concrete.

I suggest you try a large garden centre and ask them for their advice.

[Elizabeth]

Thanks Bob, I use the weed control membrane a lot but, in this instance I know the grasses, thistles would get through it.

[Dave_L]

I think concrete was mentioned as it would be an impermeable barrier to such nasties.

Why no weedkillers??

20kg of sodium chlorate would have it licked, not too heavy either.

[seanandruby]

Hi liz. Concrete wont have to adhere to soil, its the weight that keeps it in place. Obviously the weeds etc will have to be pulled up first. A weed supressant geotextile placed over the bank and held in place by pins. the choice is endless what you can place there, from concrete to rocks. could the earth be reduced by a couple of feet and a fence erected in front, like a ha ha? Sounds like a good project to be doing. good luck.

[MatthewWakeman]

Chicken Wire spiked into the soil would give the concrete a good key but concrete on a steep bank sounds a bit more complex what is the gradiant? pictures would be good

regards

matthew wakeman
drivewaycompany.co.uk

[Tony McC]

Elizabeth: send me the photo and I'll upload it for you

In my mind's eye, I'm picturing a shallow gabion mattress, filled with rubble/rocks, with pockets of soil as required for planting, and then the lot daubed with summat akin to hypertufa, the earth-concrete mix beloved of gardeners.

[Elizabeth]

Tony that sounds promising. I have sent you a private message re photograpy. It would be great to sort out this area as it is developing into a rather interesting garden space but the weedy bank does not enhance it!!! I should say that stones are not a problem where I live in Cobh, Cork. The garden is a mass of them.