I love having a garden full of beautiful flowers. However, one of the most time-consuming parts of gardening is preparing your flower bed. You have to start by weeding and making sure that the area is free from any old plant life so that your new plants won’t get choked out by competitors. Next, you need to put in some form of a retaining wall so that your soil stays where it’s supposed to be; otherwise, the rain will wash away all of your hard work.
Laying out the wall.
- Level the area. First, you’ll want to check the ground where you’re planning to build your flower bed wall and make sure there are no bumps or dips that will throw off the level of your wall. If there are any dips or bumps, fill them in with dirt or sand so that the ground is as flat as possible.
- Mark out your area. Next, measure out how big you want your flower bed wall and draw a line around it on all sides using chalk so that everyone knows which exact spot they need to dig up when construction begins!
- Prepare for construction: Dig down far enough so that the bottom layer of bricks will rest above ground level by about 6 inches (15 cm). Then use a shovel or trowel to remove excess soil from around this layer until it sits just below grade at 4 inches (10 cm).
Leveling the ground.
It is important to level the ground before you begin building your wall. As we mentioned earlier, the ground should be flat and level so that the top of your walls are also flat and level.
You’ll need a string line, laser level or transit to ensure proper leveling of your flower bed. You can use these tools individually or together depending on how accurate you want to be with leveling.
If you don’t have access to any of these tools, it may be best to hire someone else who does have them available for this step in building a wall for a flower bed.
Install a crushed stone base.
A crushed stone base is made from small stones, generally less than 3 inches in diameter. This material is lightweight and easy to install, but it’s not as durable as concrete. Crushed stone costs less than concrete and can be installed in any pattern you choose; however, it will not last as long or stand up to the elements quite so well. To make your wall more attractive, build your base in a pinwheel or herringbone pattern with varying sizes of crushed stone.
Build your first course.
Start by installing your first course of blocks. The height of your wall will depend on how high you want it to be; however, the maximum height for a straight wall is 6 feet. Install each block vertically and make sure that they’re perfectly level (use a leveler tool if you need help). Once all of the blocks are in place, backfill with soil to provide support for additional layers.
Once you’ve completed this first course, create an outline for the second course with stakes or string so that you can see where each subsequent row will go—you may not be able to see through all those blocks! Baseline where the top edge will be so that all subsequent rows are installed at one level height above ground level instead of varying heights throughout your flower bed wall construction project (you could also use bricks instead).
Installing the second course.
The second course is installed in the same manner as the first course. First, level each block and make sure it’s square with the bottom of the footing. Then, use a string line to mark vertical lines on each course prior to setting them in place.
The third course is installed using a similar method as for the first two courses: level each block and make sure it’s square with both sides of the footings; hold it in place while marking along one side of your string line; remove and position each piece individually until you get it lined up properly; check that they’re still aligned; then set them permanently into place by tapping or pounding on them gently with a rubber mallet until they are stable (don’t worry about damaging any flowers with which your wall abuts).
Backfilling and finishing.
Backfilling and finishing. Backfilling is the process of filling in the hole left behind by the wall. You can backfill with dirt, or you can mix soil with stone to create a sturdier surface. You should backfill your wall with either a shovel, a backhoe (or Bobcat), or some other heavy machinery. It’s important that you keep your walls level and straight; if not, they will break down over time due to uneven pressure on their sides. To keep them sturdy and strong after construction, you’ll need to compact your soil as much as possible once it has been spread out so that water doesn’t pool underneath and cause erosion damage later on down the road.
Alternatives to poured concrete retaining walls
Alternatives to poured concrete retaining walls
A segmental prefabricated block wall is the best alternative to a poured concrete retaining wall. It is affordable, easy to install and maintain, and can be used with or without mortar. Wood timber retaining walls are another great option for homeowners looking for something that looks natural but requires less maintenance than a stone or brick wall. Concrete blocks are another option for those looking for an inexpensive way to build their retaining wall. While not as strong as other options, they still provide a solid base for your flower bed or garden bed if you don’t plan on having heavy items placed on top of them (such as large plants). Concrete bricks also make an excellent choice if you want something that looks more like stone than concrete but doesn’t require mortar in order to install correctly; however, these bricks won’t last forever so it’s important that you keep tabs on any cracks or chips in order to avoid water damage inside those cracks later down the line.
Segmental prefabricated blocks
Segmental prefabricated blocks are concrete blocks that are easy to install and durable, but not as expensive as poured concrete. They’re also not as easy to install as wood timbers, and they’re not quite as durable.
Segmental prefabricated blocks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can make your wall any shape or size you want.
Wood timber retaining walls are quick and easy to install in almost any soil type, although they aren’t very durable compared to other retaining walls.
A wooden retaining wall is a great option for a small flower bed as they are easy to install and not very durable. However, they can be easily repaired if damaged. They are also made from a variety of different materials, such as cedar, ruby red or whitewood, as well as others. Other materials are available for building retaining walls out of including stones, bricks and even concrete.
This is an overview of how a person would construct a wall for a flower bed in their backyard
This is an overview of how a person would construct a wall for a flower bed in their backyard. The purpose of this is to provide the reader with an understanding of what it takes to build such a structure and why they should do so. There are many benefits to building walls around your yard, such as:
- adding trees and flowers that would otherwise not be possible if there were no walls surrounding your property
- keeping animals out of your garden (i.e., dogs) -making sure that no one can trespass onto your property without permission
Conclusion
This is a great project for someone who has gardening experience and is looking to expand their skill set. It is a nice way to create more space in your yard without having to break the bank or take up too much of your time.
