How to Build a Garden Wall

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Walls add structure and style to gardens. You can use a wall to mark the boundaries of a garden, focus on a flower border or contain erosion on a slope. Although brick walls and walls over 3 feet tall require an experienced hand, beginners with strong backs can tackle a dry stone garden wall.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Flagstone
Gravel
Twine
Stakes
Chisel
Mallet
Gloves
Goggles
Batter frame
Plumb bob

Step1

Check with the local building inspector. Your community may have codes that govern the materials, height or location of the wall.

Step2

Purchase 300 pounds of flagstone for each 2½ feet of cubic wall surface. The width of the garden wall should be 1/3 of its height, so a wall that is 36 inches tall must be 12 inches wide.

Step3

Dig a 6-inch trench to create a foundation for the wall. The trench should extend one foot beyond the width of the wall. Fill the trench with gravel.

Step4

Choose the largest, flattest stones for the base of the wall. Use angular and medium-sized stones for the body of the wall. Save the smallest stones to tuck into the remaining crevices.

Step5

Lay each stone so that it covers the two stones beneath it. Use twine strung between two stakes as a guide to ensure that each row remains level.

Step6

Add the desired shape to any stones by scoring the stone with a chisel and breaking off the scored portion with a mallet. Wear gloves and protective eyewear to guard against flying debris.

Step7

Slant garden walls meant to serve as retaining walls towards the soil. The slant must be one inch for every foot of height. Check the angle using a wooden batter frame and a plumb bob.