How to Build a Gabion Fence

Measure the area where you want to build your gabion fence. Decide whether boxes will lie in a single row or more, both horizontally and vertically. Depending on the sizes of gabion boxes available, plan a single or double height for your first project, rather than a stack of three or more boxes. You need to be certain that boxes are well settled before building tall walls.

Choose rocks or other filling material in sizes that will fill boxes with small spaces throughout. This will let water flow through without upsetting your gabions. Avoid putting only a few large rocks into a box unless they sit in the bottom row of your wall. Harsh weather or temperature changes could cause shifts in the box's contents, making it unstable.

Level the ground on which your wall will stand, using the carpenter's level, shovel and rake. Your bottom row of boxes needs to be well seated to hold further weight.

Place empty gabion boxes along the path of your fence. Fill boxes in place. Add a second row of boxes on top of the first. Fill those in place. Let boxes settle in place for 48 hours or longer. Add a third row of boxes if needed to complete your project.

Consider planting the top row of boxes to blend the fence into your landscape. To plant boxes, fill the top row only 2/3 full of rocks and leave the tops open. Line the remaining space with Spanish moss or other hanging-basket liner. You will need to line the sides as well as the bottom of the space. Add potting soil and seeds or plants. Your boxes will be slightly more stable if you put the lids back on after you plant. Flowers or grasses will easily find their way through the top mesh.