Landscaping Ideas for Ravines

Fences and Walls

• Installing a fence along the edge can help keep children and pets away from the steep ravine. A fence has the added benefit of containing children's toys so they are not lost to the steep hillsides. A dry-stacked stone wall creates a barrier but at only about 3-feet tall is still short enough to see down into the ravine. Other fence options include chain-link fence, which can be seen through, short picket fences and tall privacy fences. The base of a ravine is subject to large amounts of soil erosion, which changes the look of a landscape over time. Build a stone retaining wall into the hillside to prevent erosion.

Ravine Walk

• Installing a ravine walk is the ideal way to highlight this natural feature. The walk can be a simple gravel or stone pathway or a paved concrete walk that follows the ravine edge. A ravine walk may also be built with wood or composite deck boards for a more structured, raised look. If there is a path that descends into the ravine, build the ravine walk so it meets up with the path; this way, the walk serves as a guide to invite guests into the ravine. Install some sort of see-through fence along the ravine walk for safety; chain-link, picket and stone fences provide protection against falling but still provide visibility.

Bridge

• Bridges are the easiest way to provide access from one side of a ravine to the other. The practicality of a bridge on a ravine varies greatly depending on the width of the ravine, so this may not be an option for all homeowners. If the ravine is particularly narrow and shallow, a homeowner may be able to install a small footbridge to cross the ravine. A small bridge can also be used to create the look of a ravine in the landscape. A small crevice between two boulders in the landscape can be traversed with a bridge to achieve this effect. Even a slight hill and valley can seem like a ravine with a small accent bridge.

Native Plants

• Erosion is a major problem for the steep sides of ravines; erosion can be gradual, but large landslides are also possible. Landscaping measures can help to prevent soil erosion and maintain the natural look of the ravine. In some cases, over-landscaping of an area can lead to excessive soil erosion, especially when plants are added that are not helpful in preventing erosion. Native plant species are those that are naturally adapted to thrive in a particular area. Native ravine species are typically ground-cover plants that have a strong network of roots that cling to the soil and prevent erosion. These may include woodland phlox, wild geranium, white trillium and moss species. Wire mesh or snow fence may be laid on the ground to provide protection in some cases.