How to Build a Retaining Wall With Artificial Rocks

Most gardens are not flat pieces of landscape. Likely, you have several small hills or built-up areas. These risen areas are susceptible to soil erosion if left unplanted. To prevent soil from washing away from the hill, you can build a rock retaining wall to hold back the soil. If natural rocks are not available or too expensive, you can use fake rocks to build the wall. Fake rocks are available from most hardware stores.

Measuring tape
Stakes
Shovel
Tamper
Fake stone blocks
Chisel
Hammer
Landscape fabric

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length of the wall you wish to build. Use the measurement to figure out how many blocks you will need to complete the wall length. Divide the desired height of the wall by the height of the blocks and multiply the amount of blocks for the length by the amount of blocks for the height to get your total amount of blocks. Mark the area with stakes.
- 2
  Dig a trench that is as deep as the stone blocks. This is the foundation trench. Pack the soil at the bottom of the trench with a tampering tool to make it flat and level. Tamper tools have a handle with a flat portion at the head which helps compact soil.
- 3
  Set the first block into the trench, flat side up. Set a level on top of the block and tap the block with a rubber mallet until it is straight. Continue laying blocks in this manner across the entire foundation area.
- 4
  Score a rock with a rock chisel and break the fake rock in half with the chisel and hammer. Set this rock on top of the first course to start the second. Continue building the wall until it reaches the height you wish to have the wall.
- 5
  Set a piece of landscape fabric behind the wall and the recess between the wall and the soil. Cover the landscape fabric with soil to hold it down. This facilitates drainage behind the wall and prevents collapse by holding the stones in place.

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