Construct Natural Stone Retaining Walls
At 0:12 in
new construction scapes. #landscaping #newbuffalo #michigan
What happens here
To address the natural slope of the terrain and create defined planting beds, natural stone retaining walls are constructed. The video shows these walls stepping up, indicating they are used to create terraced levels in the landscape. The narrator emphasizes the natural look of the stone, noting its suitability for the 'heavily natural, heavily sand' environment of New Buffalo. This step involves excavating a trench for the base of the wall, laying a stable foundation (often gravel and compacted soil), and then carefully stacking the natural stone blocks, ensuring they are level and interlocked for stability. Proper drainage behind the wall is also critical.
Goal: Build stable and aesthetically pleasing natural stone retaining walls to manage elevation changes and define planting beds.
Tools and materials
- Compactor — Compacting the base material for stability
- Level — Ensuring each course of stone is level
- Natural Stone Blocks — Building the retaining walls
- Rubber Mallet — Adjusting stone placement without damaging them
- Shovel — Excavating trenches for the wall foundation
- Wheelbarrow — Transporting stone and base materials
- Gravel — Creating a stable foundation and drainage layer behind the walls