Sloping land gives off a majestic and expansive feeling that is beautiful to behold.  Unfortunately, we need flat land to make use of it for recreation and gardening.  Building a garden retaining wall is a great way to create flat areas in a sloping landscape.  A garden retaining wall introduces a usable area that you can tend a small to modest sized garden with ease.

 

An easy a simple way to make a garden retaining wall is with the use of manufactured stone.  These handy stones are of manageable size and have a lip on the back to interlock with the preceding course of stone.  This mortar-less bond is ideal for walls under 3 feet in height.  Exceding three feet, you will probably need a more substantial solution with expert help.

 

Evacuate a trench for your first course of stone so it will be under the grade and provide a solid foundation for the rest of the wall.  Use sand or fine stone under this first row of stone to level it as best as you can.  Adjust each stone as you lay it to make it level.  Once you are done with this crucial step, you need to cut one of your stones in half.

 

Placing your half-stone on the second course will offset the row and provide additional strength.  You will need to do this every second row until you reach the desired height.  Once your garden retaining wall is to the desired height, use landscape fabric to minimize soil working its way into the wall; backfill to grade and enjoy your new gardening area.

 

For more information about garden retaining wall construction consult Illinois Brick's repository of guides.  Then contact us for the building supplies you need.