Want to know how to build a retaining wall on your own? If you think this garden landscape project needs professionals and an extra hefty budget, get ready to be surprised. Don’t underestimate yourself, but go ahead and get working on this retaining wall garden landscape project!
How To Build A Retaining Wall For A Knockout Garden Landscape
It is frustrating when you want a project done in your garden and have to employ a professional team. Building this retaining wall raised bed flower garden for your front yard landscape may be challenging, but the pay off is worth it. Not to mention that your budget will thank you too. If you think you can’t build a retaining wall, this guide from Lowe’s will cause you to think again!
Planning And Layout For Building A Retaining Wall
Before you get started on a landscape project, it’s wise to make a plan and layout first. For a retaining wall, check the terrain in your designated area. If it is a sloping landscape, you’ll have to step up or down because you don’t want the retaining wall to run parallel to the slope. Determine the number of blocks you’ll use by dividing the total length of the wall by the length of the blocks.
Check for downspouts pointed at the wall which you’ll have to avoid. And if it’s against the house, keep the soil bed below the siding. For a free-form design, you can use a rope to outline the shape and use a shovel to mark the outline. For straight lines, mark the entire bed with stakes, string. and marking paint. Now, you’re ready to get started!
How To Build A Retaining Wall On The Budget
What You’ll Need To Build A Retaining Wall
- Interlocking Retaining Wall Blocks
- Strings, stakes, and marking paint
- Hose, rope, and retaining wall caps(optional)
- Rubber mallet, shovel, garden rake, hand tamper, and levels
- Circular saw and masonry circular saw blade
- Construction adhesive and caulk gun
- Chisel, brush,
- Protective gears (back support, working gloves, dust mask, safety glasses, and hearing protection)
- Landscape fabric and gravel
- Garden soil and paver base
- Choice of Plants
Step One: Preparing The Foundation
- Start digging a trench in the area you’ve marked.
- Dig the trench about 4 to 6 inches deep and 12 inches wide, or twice the width of a block to bury the first row.
- Using the hand tamper, tamp down the soil in the trench to keep it level.
- Check the level every now and then and fix as needed.
- Next, fill the trench with about 3 inches of paver base, spread evenly with a rake, then tamp it down again.
- Now you can begin stacking up the blocks.
Step Two: Building The Retaining Wall
- For the first row, knock the flanges off of the blocks with a hammer and chisel, using protective gear.
- Set the first block and check the level, tapping down on high blocks with a mallet or filling with paver base when low.
- Sweep any gravel or dirt on top of the blocks after finishing with a row.
- To start with the second row, cut a block across the middle with a masonry blade to stagger the joints.
- Put the cut block in place, with the flange tight against the first row, then check the level.
Step Three: Prepping The Soil Bed
- After stacking up the next few rows, add drainage directly behind the blocks.
- Spread a landscape fabric over the designated area with enough excess extending to up the height of the blocks.
- Fill the area behind the blocks with gravel, then continue stacking up another row of blocks.
Step Four: Finishing Touches
- For the last two rows of blocks, apply concrete adhesive on top of the wall blocks.
- Then set the next rows of blocks in place.
- Now fold the excess landscape fabric back in place and fill in with soil.
Step Five: Plant Layout And Garden Design
- Take your choice of plants and put them in place.
- Take these edible landscape ideas for ideal plants to grow if you want edible ornamentals.
- If you want a perennial garden, then these ideas will help you.
- A shade garden plan will be perfect for a front yard shaded by trees.
Check the full tutorial and step by step guide on how to build a retaining wall in this video:
Are you up for a weekend garden landscape challenge? I’m pretty sure you can do this on your own or with a little helping hand from your family. This guide on how to build a retaining wall will help make your job a whole lot easier. Your plants will definitely stand out with this retaining wall design. Have a great time planning and working on your garden landscape project!
Did you find the guide helpful for your own garden landscape project? Share your own landscape plans in the comments section below.
