Retaining walls are constructed using timber, concrete, and stones for handling soil pressure. Building a retaining wall can be a tough task. So, you should know the steps to avoid future construction hassles.
Apart from maintaining the soil pressure, retaining walls help create levels in the garden, providing an excellent option for plantation. They also help reduce the earth’s gravitational pressure and provide stability to the garden soil.
Step-by-step guide to Planning Retaining Wall and garden Bed
When you plan your garden bed with retaining walls, you should consider a few factors, such as the location of the garden bed, height, and design.
Choose the Right Location
Sunlight is the primary aspect of preparing a garden bed. Choose a location where you get plenty of sunlight. Getting good drainage is also an important factor for preparing a functional garden bed.
Choose a location where you do not have big trees to avoid root interference. The location you choose should not retain water during heavy rainfall.
The soil quality of the chosen location should be good for facilitating the proper growth of your plants. The location should be easily accessible for maintenance purposes.
Decide on the Height and Design
After selecting the location, you should determine the height and design of the garden bed. The ideal of the garden bed should be between 1 foot to 3 feet. A taller wall may require additional strength to sustain.
You have various design options for garden beds, such as, straight, curved, and tiered. All these shapes will provide a great look to your garden.
Choose materials for Construction.
Building a retaining wall for your garden bed requires the right materials for a sturdy construction. You can go with concrete blocks, natural stone, timber, brick, poured concrete, and gabions for the retaining wall.
Tools you need for constructing a retaining wall
- Shovel
- Level
- Tape measure
- Tamper
- Wheelbarrow
- Mixing tool
- Safety gear
Step-by-Step Guide to building a retaining wall for erosion control
Building a retaining wall includes several steps, which you should follow to create a perfect garden bed.
Site Preparation
Before starting the construction, you should prepare the site by clearing dust, debris, and vegetation in the chosen area. Level the site to avoid unevenness. Mark the outline of the wall using strings or stakes.
Start the construction process by digging a 6 inches deep trench. The width of the trench should be twice the width of the blocks. The trench works as the foundation for the retaining wall.
Lay the Foundation
The base should be filled with gravel up to 3 inches of the trench. Remember, the base should be strong enough to build a functional retaining wall.
Place Wall Blocks
You can place the wall blocks at one end of the trench, ensuring the row is in proper alignment. You can use a level to check the alignment. Ensure the successive rows are strong enough to hold the blocks properly. You can apply adhesive between rows for extra strength.
Backfill the wall
When the wall reaches the required height, you need to backfill the space with gravel or crushed stone, which improves drainage and also reduces the pressure. Leave a small gap on the top for easy drainage. Placing mulch on the top can increase the aesthetic appeal of your garden bed.
Damage Inspection:
The most important aspect of building a retaining wall is to inspect your wall regularly to check for cracks, leaning, and bulging.
- You should access cracks regularly to maintain small cracks and fill them with sealant regularly. You can call a professional for larger issues.
- Retaining walls require straight alignment to function properly. Do not allow the walls to misalign to avoid future hassles.
- Do not allow vegetation around the retaining walls. It may damage the construction of the walls. Remove the plants regularly to protect the walls from damage.
What to do for proper drainage?
If water does not drain properly, it may damage the retaining walls. Additionally, it protects your plants from water damage.
- Install weep holes for natural drainage. Placing them strategically at intervals to facilitate easy water drainage.
- You can put gravel to allow water to drain quickly.
Keep the area around retaining walls clean. Remove debris to allow smooth water flow.
