If you have to buy stone choose a flat stone such as flagstone or a cut stone like ashlar.
Building a natural stone retaining wall.
Excavate to a depth of 6 inches along the entire base of the stone retaining wall using the string marker as a guide.
One pallet will build a 3 x10 wall coarse gravel size 5 7 stone approx.
This tutorial is designed for beginners interested in building stone retaining walls using a dry stack method but it also works for retaining block and flagstone walls.
Prepare the footing photo by russell kaye.
Stone retaining wall tips.
Plan for good drainage proper width height ratio and distance between tiers.
Natural boulders ideally rectangular.
You can build a stone wall with natural fieldstone that you have on your property provided the stones are flat enough for stacking.
Learn to build a simple dry stack retaining wall for the garden using natural field stone.
For this 18 inch high wall the footing should be at least 18 inches wide.
Building retaining walls prevents this soil erosion and helps disguise the unattractive remains from excavation into a hillside.
Lay high quality stones and use a geotextile backing to ensure the wall lasts a long time.
Use a hand or power tamper to level the base.
For dry stack walls the base should be as wide as the wall is tall.
How to build a rock wall 1.
To build a natural dry stone retaining wall prepare the site.
Dig a trench that s below the frost line and 2 feet wider than.
Great for making inexpensive raised beds out of rocks.
Ask a stone yard to help determine how much material you ll need and have it delivered as close to the site as possible.
Flat or cut stones are much easier to work with than fieldstone and will make a sturdier wall.
Other materials that could be used for such a project include landscape timbers railroad ties and cinder blocks.