PEP BB earthworks.sand.berm - improve a berm

This is a badge bit (BB) that is part of the PEP curriculum.  Completing this BB is part of getting the sand badge in earthworks.

For this BB, you will be learning how to increase the height of a berm.  Berms are great at blocking wind, blocking views and creating microclimates.  We aim for berms that are quite a bit taller than they are wide.  Maintaining steep sides is a challenge.  Steep sides like this are sometimes described as having a high "angle of repose".  To keep the soil from obeying the forces of gravity, adding sticks/logs/fibers into the berm will help hold things together until plant roots can do it for you.  If a berm has settled and the neighbors can see into your hot tub, here's your chance to fix it.



The minimum requirement is to make a berm 2 feet taller for at least 3 feet long.  Some ideas to accomplish this:
       o cut grasses/plants to lay between layers of soil to mitigate angle of repose
       o add wood branches lashed with natural fibers over the top to add structural integrity
       o add a half barrel planter to the top
       o add interesting wood planters or other structures that might later be buried
       o keep bits of wood from sticking out in a way that wicks moisture out of the berm
       o add scaffolding (a BB from another badge ---  two-fer!)
       o bring soil, organic matter, sticks, etc. from near the base to add to the top
       o make a wood berm extension "skeleton" and add soil and grasses to the skeleton

Seed immediately!

To get certified for this BB, post:

 - picture of the berm before
 - picture of the berm after
 - picture of seeds being planted
 - list the seed species planted