The base of the retaining wall should be half the wall s height.
Building a retaining wall out of landscape timbers.
Drive stakes into the ground at each end.
If your retaining wall is going to be 40 feet 12 m long you need 14 posts 40 length of the wall divided by 3 space between each post for your wall.
Dig a foundation trench for the first row of timbers image 3.
Connect the stakes with a string and adjust until it is level images 1 and 2.
Place the first row of landscape timbers in place 2 inches out from the dug out bank or where you are planing to.
How to use landscape timbers for a retaining wall 1.
Wood retaining wall instructions set up wooden stakes and nylon strings to represent the height and perimeter of the retaining wall.
Retaining walls can be constructed using a variety of materials from poured concrete and large timbers to natural stones even bricks.
If it s going to be 5 feet 1 5 m tall make sure your posts are 5 feet 1 5 m tall with an additional 18 inches 46 cm on top.
Excavate the bottom of the slope to create a level base for the wall.
Dig a trench 12 inches deep around perimeter of retaining wall.
Stretch another level line near ground to represent the top of the first course of landscaping timbers.
Drill 1 2 inch wide holes through the ends of each timber with a hole drill bit and hammer an 18 inch long metal.
If the distance is greater than 8 drive additional stakes so that the gaps do not exceed 8.
Use landscape marking paint to outline the area where the retaining wall will be built.