Landscaping in Goshen often means gardening in the shade of large maples and oaks. We design softscapes that thrive in this "understory" environment. We select shade-tolerant, native-adapted plants that add color and texture without needing constant sun. By amending the local clay soil with rich compost, we ensure vigorous growth. Whether you need a privacy screen or a foundation planting, we create lush, low-maintenance gardens that enhance the natural beauty of the Maple City.
Hydraulic Management for Sloped Terrain
With the Elkhart River and Millrace Canal winding through town, many Goshen properties deal with slopes and heavy silty loam soils. A retaining wall here must be a hydraulic system first and a structure second. Our "Rugged Luxury" standard mandates a "Burrito Drain" system: a continuous column of clean stone, at least 12 inches thick, fully wrapped in non-woven filter fabric behind the entire wall. This prevents the silt from clogging the drainage stone while allowing water to exit rapidly via a perforated drain tile. For grade transitions, we utilize large, dry-laid natural stone slabs or heavy modular blocks, avoiding the cracking issues common with wet-laid masonry.
Technical Specifications:
Drainage Core: "Burrito Drain" (Fabric-wrapped clean stone column).
Foundation: Compacted Clean Stone leveling pad.
Adhesion: SRW Quick Set high-strength adhesive.
Reinforcement: Geogrid soil stabilization for slopes.
Discharge: 4” Perforated pipe daylighted to lower grade.
Execution & Finish
We bury the base course of the wall to lock it into the grade, resisting sliding forces. We compact the backfill in shallow lifts to ensure the ground behind the wall remains stable and does not settle. The capstones are secured with premium adhesive to provide a safe, stable finish. We verify that the final grade swales water away from the wall. As your long-term partner, we stand ready to inspect and maintain the wall, ensuring it continues to stabilize your property against erosion while looking architecturally stunning.
Grading Solutions near the River
With the Elkhart River and the Millrace Canal winding through town, many Goshen properties deal with slopes and water management issues. We build structural retaining walls that turn difficult grades into usable, flat outdoor living spaces. Whether you need to stabilize a bank to prevent erosion or terrace a backyard for a garden, we use materials that fit the natural aesthetic of the area. We build with everything from natural limestone outcroppings to structural block, creating walls that are as beautiful as they are strong.
We treat every wall as a hydraulic system. The main reason walls fail in our area is water pressure building up behind the face. We prevent this by backfilling every single wall with a minimum of one foot of clean drain stone, fully encapsulated in geotextile fabric—the "burrito" method. This allows groundwater to escape freely, relieving the hydrostatic pressure that causes leaning. We build walls that hold their ground, protecting your property and providing peace of mind during wet seasons.
View our other services in Goshen
FAQ
What is the best material for a garden wall?
For smaller garden walls in Goshen, we love using 'tumbled' concrete block. It looks like natural stone but is easier to install and very cost-effective.
Do you fix leaning walls?
Sometimes we can repair them, but often a lean indicates a base failure. We will assess if it can be saved or if it needs to be rebuilt with proper drainage.
Will it crack in winter?
Our walls are flexible systems. They are dry-stacked (no mortar), which allows them to move slightly with the frost and settle back without cracking like a poured concrete wall.