How to Make Bricks Stick Together When Making a Garden

Constructing the Footer

• 1

  Mark off the edges of the bed or border with stakes and string. Use the level to check the flatness of the soil surface where you will be placing the bricks. If necessary, remove soil to level the soil surface.

• 2

  Dig a trench 6 to 12 inches deep and 16 to 18 inches wide along the perimeter where you want to build your garden. When digging, make the bottom of the trench flat and level with the sides perpendicular to the bottom of the trench and straight. If necessary, use boards to ensure a flat bottom and straight sides.

• 3

  Mix the concrete, and pour it into the trench.

• 4

  Press a reinforcing rod into the concrete around the perimeter of the footer. Use a trowel to smooth the concrete over the reinforcing rod. Use the level to check that the concrete footer is level. Allow the concrete to dry for three or four days before laying bricks.

Placing the Bricks

• 5

  Mix the mortar using five parts sand, three parts lime and one part Portland cement. This low-strength mortar, suitable for small building projects, allows the mortar to self-repair small cracks and extends the life of your garden wall.

• 6

  Wet the concrete footer, and spread mortar along it for 2 feet. The mortar should be 3/4- to 1-inch thick.

• 7

  Set the first brick on the mortar, and press it down until only a 1/2 inch of mortar remains between the brick and the footer.

• 8

  Spread mortar onto the side of the next brick, place it on the mortar-covered footer and use your trowel to tap the brick until it sits about 3/8 inch from the first brick. Scrape away excess mortar that squeezed out from between the bricks. Repeat this process until you've laid down the first row of bricks along the entire perimeter.

• 9

  Form corners by placing bricks to form sides perpendicular to the front of the bed or border. You may need to turn the bricks so the short side faces the front of the bed or border and the long side extends back to create the side of the bed or border.

• 10

  Spread a layer of mortar 3/4- to 1-inch thick on top of the first row of bricks. Press the first brick of the second row into place until only a 1/2 inch of mortar remains. Offset bricks between layers so the center of the first brick you lay on the second level rests on top of the juncture between two bricks on the first level. Use the trowel to clean away any excess mortar. Continue constructing the second and subsequent levels using the method you used to construct the first level.