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.
Diy stacked stone retaining wall.
Use a hand or power tamper to level the base.
Building a retaining wall is suitable for diyers as long as the wall is a maximum of 3 feet tall in most areas.
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.
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.
For dry stack walls the base should be as wide as the wall is tall.
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.
Excavate to a depth of 6 inches along the entire base of the stone retaining wall using the string marker as a guide.
Try to cut the ditch into native soil rather than loose added soil as the former provides a more stable foundation for the wall.
This ditch will act as the wall s footing and prevent the rocks from sliding forward due to pressure from the earth behind.
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.
Higher walls should be engineered for stability.
To build a natural dry stone retaining wall prepare the site.
Anything taller should be handled by professionals.
The success of your retaining wall depends on a level base.
A dry stack stone retaining wall not only holds back the earth it adds beauty to a landscape.
How to build a seating wall classy slate tops off this stone wall with concealed mortar holding everything together for outdoor seating everyone can get comfortable with.
Using your stakes string and line level.
So in my case the stone was cut to 12 wide making the base 24 wide.
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.
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.
The base should be dug out at least twice as wide as the width of the stone.
Lay high quality stones and use a geotextile backing to ensure the wall lasts a long time.