Lay high quality stones and use a geotextile backing to ensure the wall lasts a long time.
Diy stacked stone retaining wall.
For a stacked block retaining wall that s no higher than four feet a trench filled with three inches of crushed rock will help keep the wall from shifting and settling.
Dig a ditch the length of the wall that is about a foot wide and 8 to 12 inches 20 5 cm 30 5 cm below the ground level.
For dry stack walls the base should be as wide as the wall is tall.
To create a solid foundation dig a trench for the first course of your interlocking retaining wall blocks to sit in and make sure the ground remains even throughout.
A dry stack stone retaining wall not only holds back the earth it adds beauty to a landscape.
Use a hand or power tamper to level the base.
Using a tape measure decide the length and the width of your retaining wall then mark off the area with the garden stakes and string.
Even if you don t plan to sit on your wall 3 feet is about as high as i would recommend building any dry stacked wall.
Building a retaining wall is suitable for diyers as long as the wall is a maximum of 3 feet tall in most areas.
The ideal height for a dry stacked retaining wall is 18 to 22 inches so you can sit on it when your gardening chores are done.
Try to cut the ditch into native soil rather than loose added soil as the former provides a more stable foundation for the wall.
The easiest way to build a stone retaining wall is to use the dry stack method that requires no mortar between stones and does not need a concrete footing like mortared walls do.
Excavate to a depth of 6 inches along the entire base of the stone retaining wall using the string marker as a guide.
Plan for good drainage proper width height ratio and distance between tiers.
Anything taller should be handled by professionals.
Mike installing stone steps for backyard patio pool retaining wall landscaping how to build a good base for front or backyard landscaping dry stacked stone retaining wall.
The success of your retaining wall depends on a level base.
Using your stakes string and line level.
This ditch will act as the wall s footing and prevent the rocks from sliding forward due to pressure from the earth behind.
The base should be dug out at least twice as wide as the width of the stone.
For this 18 inch high wall the footing should be at least 18 inches wide.
To build a natural dry stone retaining wall prepare the site.