Slope reinforcement: How to do it yourself and without major costs

Slope reinforcement with gambions

Gambions are specially designed steel meshes with an anti-corrosion treatment (e.g. Zn-Al zinc-aluminum coating), which are filled with quarry stone with a fraction of 63 to 125 mm.The advantage is resistance to erosion, a lifespan of 50+ years and minimal maintenance. The price of one standard gabion basket 100 x 50 x 50 cm starts at €30, while stone filling will cost you approximately €60 per 1 m³, which represents 1.6 tons of material.

Slope reinforcement with stabilizing geotextile

It is made of polypropylene or polyester and weighs 100 to 200 g/m². Its role is to reinforce the surface and prevent erosion. For gentle slopes, woven geotextiles (€1.20-€1.80/m²) are sufficient, for steeper slopes it is advisable to use three-dimensional reinforcing geogrids (€3-€5/m²), which are anchored with steel hooks every 1-1.5 m.

Slope reinforcement – formwork and slope blocks

In very steep slopes, it is recommended to use concrete slope or formwork blocks, which can be dry-assembled and reinforced with roxor or geogrids. The formwork blocks can be easily assembled thanks to the locking system.You can use concrete with roxor bars as a filler, which are placed both horizontally and vertically. Their price is approximately €1.75/piece. Unlike formwork blocks, slope blocks are characterized by easy handling and also fulfill a decorative function. The price of slope blocks depends on the color – basic gray ranges from €2 to €2.5/piece.

Slope reinforcement yourself – what you will need

If you decide to reinforce the slope yourself, prepare the basic equipment:

• Spade and shovel – for terrain preparation, slope reinforcement and digging foundations.
• A spirit level and leveling device – to maintain the correct slope.
• Pegs and twine – to mark lines to reinforce the slope near the house or garden.
• Geotextile – protection against erosion and to thoroughly reinforce the slope. The price ranges from €1.20/m².
• Gravel or quarry stone – the basis for water drainage and stabilization of the reinforced slope.
• Slope blocks / gabions / wooden logs – depends on the type of slope and aesthetics.

How to reinforce a slope yourself? For smaller slopes with a height of up to 1 m, you can cope without any equipment. For larger projects, we recommend renting a smaller excavator or mini excavator.The best thing to do is to entrust the work to an experienced excavator, who can reinforce a smaller slope in just a few hours. The price of the work is approximately €40/hour + loading and unloading of the excavator can cost from €60 depending on the distance. Are you interested in this topic? Read another article on the topic: How to level the land? Flat, sloping and bumpy.

Slope reinforcement near the house and in the garden – the most common solutions

Slope reinforcement near the house is specific – it is not only about aesthetics, but also about protecting the foundations.  

• Concrete retaining walls – durability up to 50 years, costs from €80/m². Depends on the material used.  
• Slope blocks with planting– a combination of aesthetics and stability with greenery planting.  
• Stone and wood – cheaper solutions suitable for gardens or slopes that are at least 7 meters away from the house.  

How to strengthen a slope in the garden? You can also use less expensive forms such as:  

• Dry stone walls – without mortar, fast and efficient. They have very good drainage and have a long service life.  
• Infiltration gutters – reduce water pressure and cause natural water drainage from the slope.  
• Terraces with steps – a practical solution especially for older plots of land.

How to strengthen a slope in the garden without the intervention of a specialist

Not everyone needs an expensive project to strengthen a slope. If the height is up to 1.5 meters and the slope is not extreme, you can do it yourself. How to strengthen a slope in the garden? It is important to evaluate: soil type (clayey = less stable), orientation (northern slopes are wetter) and accessibility for materials and tools.

Proven solutions for self-slope reinforcement:

• Coconut or coconut-jute mats with anchoring – ecological and affordable slope reinforcement, especially suitable for gentle slopes with a slope of up to 30°. The mats are made of coconut fibers pressed into 15 mm thick strips and are biodegradable. They are anchored with steel hooks or wooden pegs every 50 cm. The advantage is easy assembly without the need for equipment. The price ranges from €2.80 to €4.50 per m², depending on the thickness and density of the fiber.
• Beds in the form of steps – a combination of functionality and aesthetics. You can reinforce the individual steps with wood, stone or slope blocks. In addition to strengthening the slope and stabilizing it, you also get space for growing herbs or ornamental plants.
• Recycled pallets or logs – low-cost slope reinforcement, especially suitable for smaller gardens. The logs should be treated against rot, ideally made of hardwood (oak, acacia). Pallets can be used to create terraces or stairs. The costs are minimal, especially if you have access to the material used.

Do you want to strengthen the slope in the garden where you plan to build a garden shed, workshop or new house? Read more about the possibilities of using shipping containers in the garden. You can find out more information in the article: House made of containers: How to build a house from a shipping container?.

Slope reinforcement using plants, stone or geotextiles

If the slope is gentle and you do not want to invest much, combined slope reinforcement solutions can be an ideal choice:

• Slope reinforcement with plants: In this case, plants with a deep root system are suitable (e.g. rockrose, juniper, pachysandra). You can also use specially designed vegetation mats that reduce erosion and improve the soil microclimate.
• Slope reinforcement with stone: You can use quarry stone of a larger fraction, which you can dry-lay in a checkerboard pattern. The advantage is low maintenance and excellent stability.
• Slope reinforcement with geotextiles and geogrids: They increase soil cohesion and prevent waterlogging. They are also suitable for use under plants or stones. The combination of geotextiles and planting has proven itself on plots of land up to 200 m² without the need for professional intervention.

Conclusion

Slope reinforcement is not just a technical intervention – it is an investment in the safety, aesthetics and value of your property. If you are not only concerned with the slope from a technical point of view, but also with covering or protecting the area during work, consider installing a tarpaulin hall – it offers flexibility, portability and quick assembly without demanding infrastructure. Thanks to available solutions such as slope blocks, geotextiles, gabions or suitable greenery, you can handle the slope reinforcement yourself.