How to Build a Garden Wall

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.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

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

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.