Tip of The Week
If a 4’ level is not available, use a
piece of 2 X 4 – 4’ to 6’ long & place the smaller level on the 2 X 4.
Project of The Month
Construction of Stone Landscape Walls
If a garden area slopes more than one foot for every
ten feet, consider adding steps. Garden steps are usually wide and shallow
for easy walking and visual appeal. It is important to keep the risers and
treads the same on each step to avoid tripping. Pitch steps slightly forward
to allow standing water to drain quickly. To avoid erosion to the left and
right of the steps consider low retaining walls or small boulders and ground
cover.
Tools Needed
-
Shovel
-
Tamp
-
Level
-
Hammer
-
Chisel
Materials Needed
Construction
- Calculate the length and height of the wall
- Multiply the two to get the face square footage
of material needed.
- Depending on the soil, excavate 4” to 8” deep,
12” wide and the length of your wall.
- Place 2” to 4” of compactable fill for the base
- Gravel base must be tamped (compacted) every 2
inches
- Place 1” of sinter stone on top of compacted
DGA for leveling.
- Lay the first course of stone with the bottoms
of the stones just below ground level.
- Use the level to span as many stones as
possible to get an accurate reading.
- Once the first course of stone is level the
next courses can be placed staggering all joints.
- Recess the wall ½” – ¾” per course.
- The hammer and chisel can be used to break
stones to fit tightly together.
- Line the inside (back) of the wall with
landscape fabric.
- Backfill the wall with clean
crushed 1” limestone to provide strength and drainage.
Additional Projects
Constructing
Block Walls
Installing Drainage
Constructing a
Fire Ring
Garage
Door Safety
Winterize your
Garage Door
Constructing Garden Walkways
Installing a
Paver Sidewalk
Constructing
Stone Steps
Constructing
Stone Walls
Constructing a
Water Garden
Garage Door
Operator Safety
Seeding
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