How to Build With Interlocking Blocks

Dig a trench on the ground about half the depth of the interlocking blocks you are using and a few inches wider than the block's depth.

Hammer a wooden stake on each end of the wall. Tamp the ground with a tamper on one end of the wall. Place one interlocking block in the tamped trench. Place a level on the block and level it both vertically and horizontally in the trench. Dig out additional soil if needed to level the block or fill in low spots with the soil out of the trench.

Tie a piece of string onto the stake near the first block with the string at the same level as the top of the block. Tie the other end of string to the second stake at the same height from the ground. This will be a sight line for the first course of blocks to ensure they are level.

Lay the rest of the first course of blocks butted up against each other on each side in the trench. Remove or add additional soil to level each block and tamp the ground down.

Place one block on the ground. Place a brick chisel on one end of the center line on the back of the block. Strike the chisel with a hammer to score the block. Move the chisel down the center line next to the first score. Strike the chisel again to score the block. Continue moving the chisel and striking it to score the entire block. Pick the block up with one hand on each side of the score and rotate both hands down to break the block in half.

Place one half-block on the first block of the first course from behind it and push it forward to interlock the lip on the half-block onto the block underneath. Place whole blocks next to the half block and continue interlocking them to the other end of the wall. Place a half-block on the end of the second course.

Lay additional courses of blocks alternating starting with a full block and a half-block.