Retaining Wall Landscaping Help Needed!
We are building a house. There is a staggered retaining wall in the backyard. It ranges from about 1 foot high to about 5 foot high. We own the property beyond the retaining wall, which is a berm about 12-15 feet wide. I have to keep the retaining wall. The builders require that we put a fence on the property line, which is at the top of the berm. I want to remove the fence the builder has placed along the retaining wall, but I have an active dog that would not hesitate to jump off the retaining wall. I don't worry about him jumping from 2 to 3 feet, but of course the higher it gets, the more dangerous it is for him. I am looking for help on how to address this issue while keeping a clean line for the eye. We want to give the appearance of the deepest yard possible. We are planning to put landscaping with grasses and bushes in the area beyond the retaining wall.
The distance from the back of the house to the retaining wall is about 30 feet. Beyond that, our property line extends another 12-15 feet. We plan to put a stone patio about 20 feet square off of our sliding glass door.
It will look strange to have the fence only halfway along the retaining wall, but I want to restrict access for my dog (as well as for eventual grandchildren). Anyway, I'd appreciate ideas and advice!
The first two photos show the backyard and how the retaining wall is in relation to the house. The corner you see is the corner of the kitchen exit to the backyard. The last photo shows the view from inside the kitchen looking toward the retaining wall and backyard.
The red line is the property line.
Here is a view of the berm, showing the fence and retaining wall, looking toward my neighbor's house. Our house foundation had not been poured at this point.
The view looking out the kitchen sliding glass door/bay window. Right at the top of the black fence is the top of the berm which is the end of our property line and where I want to put a similar black wrought iron fence, removing the fence at the retaining wall.
Thanks in advance for all of your help and advice!!!
Comments (8)
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Comments (8)I am surprised that you did not think of the following. You need to build a temporary dam at the top edge of the wall to hold back the clay. This is done by pegging lengths of board along the wall. Boards can be found in construction site dumpsters or your local newspaper probably has wooden pallets for nothing that you can take apart. This is your first step. You seem to think that it is possible to till the clay and reduce the slope. I am not certain this is a wise move as you will have disturbed clay which will quickly erode. Perhaps it is best to leave the slope as it is presently and lay landscape erosion netting on the surface, mulch on top of this and plant. The netting can be ordered from any landscape nursery. I would urge you to pay for a consultation with the owner of a landscape nursery to advise you on this situation. It will save you from making costly mistakes and allow you to address the situation correctly. Then you will understand 'terracing' which may be the prefered solution. Either way, netting or terracing, it is important to stabilize the slope before planting. Most fast growing ground covers in Zone 7 are very invasive and after a few years you will hate them. Better to consult with an expert who can suggest shrubs and native plants that will grow in clay and afford you an attractive view. There is a solution to your problem, but as a non-gardener you need expert direction for a tricky situation. Hopefully you will set out to find the help you need before making some serios mistakes....See Moreneed help covering a retaining wall
Comments (4)Actually, I think you might be bothered over this for a reason that is purely of your own making. You might try a hit of ecstasy and see if the whole problem doesn't just go away. :-) Another factor is that you are prejudging the outcome of the project while it is still in a state of unfinished disarray. By the time that the mess was cleaned up and plantings were installed and grown out, I think you could count on a much better appearance. Too, the stone is going to weather out and take on a softer, more homogenized look. Plantings that trailed over the wall at strategic places would also work toward making the wall look like it has always been there and seems well integrated into the surroundings. Finishing the whole area with furniture, a few large containers & decor will, I think, be enough that you can put the color dislike out of your mind. Lots of times people focus obsessively on details of a new job. Later, as they start enjoying the space, they just forget about those things that once seemed so bothersome. I would finish this project and see if it becomes more tolerable....See MoreIdeas for a modern landscaping plan WITHOUT a retaining wall
Comments (7)"... would you do a straight line off of the front walkway or something more rounded? This is something you'd work out in plan view. We can't see enough detail in a perspective photo from a single angle....See MoreNeed help with erosion from retaining wall
Comments (10)It looks like some weep holes, if you want to call them that, are located high up on the wall, where it is easier for a stream of running surface water to "find" and access them. Once this happens, a stream of running water can quickly carry soil or sand away. I would plug the back side of these high up holes with glob mortar so running water can't get through. Instead of filling below the grass with sand, I'd fill with topsoil because the grass will like it better. I don't know why he'd be using sand there. Eventually, as high up holes in the block are exposed and filled, there will be an end to them....See More
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