Retaining walls are a good way to contain raised gardens and prevent erosion. Here are some different techniques for building a retaining wall in your yard:

• Dry Stacked Retaining Wall: Involves building a stone wall with no mortar. To make sure it holds up, a dry stacked wall may need to be installed by a professional.
• Battered Retaining Wall: A battered (stepped) retaining wall is made from stacked blocks with each row stepped back from the one below at a slope of about 1” for every foot of height.
• Concrete Block Retaining Wall: While not as attractive, a retaining wall can be made of concrete (cinder) blocks installed on a poured concrete footing. Rebar embedded in the footing extends up into the blocks, which are mortared in place then filled with concrete.

Watch this video to find out more.

Further Information

• Retaining Walls (Video)
• How to Build a Stackable Block Retaining Wall (article)
• How to Cut and Install Retaining Wall Topper Stones (article)
• How to Build Retaining Wall Corners (article)
• How to Align Blocks in a Curved Retaining Wall (article)
• White Efflorescence Stains on Retaining Walls (article)

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One Comment on “Types of Retaining Walls for Your Yard”

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1. James Martin Says:
   March 28th, 2011 at 2:43 pm

   I have a retaining wall that about five feet high. When it rains the dirt from behind the wall washes through.What do I need to do?

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