Level Up Your Garden Bed with an Easy Retaining Wall

[@SchubertAloysius]

Now this is the good side of the internet. Hardworking people putting their efforts, knowledge and skills to help or educate others to be fruitful. Thanks bro!

[@timohara7717]

Has nice curves and edge though The wall guys

[@drraymond57]

Great job, and thanks for showing some of the struggles you encountered....."plans are useless but planning is everything!". Pro tip: it helps tremendously to lay your fist row upsidedown with the tumbled stones, as the bottom is flat. This makes leveling easier and also gives the second row a flat-to-flat surface for the glue up. After that the rest of the wall will layout easily and be level because your foundation is set.

[@mrb6206]

great tip!

[@rscibona]

Wow, thanks for this tip as I am using tumbled stones as well and was having a bit of a hard time getting it nice and level.

[@dantrav1927]

What foundation do you speak of I see nothing that’ll keep this wall up for years to come?

[@sl5311]

Dude you listed everything but the name of that stone. I. must. find. it!

[@warrenbutt3746]

@@sl5311 Most Home Depots are going to source their stones from local suppliers, hauling rocks across the country doesn't make sense for 90% of applications. What's available in one region of the country isn't going to be available elsewhere unless it's special order. Go check out your different home stores, they'll have plenty of options to choose from and I'm sure you'll find something you'll love!

[@gersonvazquez9399]

such a great video! Don't understand how 1.4 million people can watch this and only have 22k likes. Makes no sense! Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@MichaelTran-bv1jm]

I watched it multiple times and liked once

[@anonymoususer530]

Thank you for a wonderful video! This is hands down the best video I have seen! It was thorough and detailed in a brief presentation. I am a single, mid 20s woman and many people said I would be unable to undertake such a project on my own. You made it manageable!! And, I get to now enjoy a beautiful yard. Thank you for empowering people like me through your clear and detailed advice!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

This is exactly why we make these videos! You’ve got this 💪

[@mellymel1100]

Susan is lucky to have a husband that's willing to do/help with this handy stuff.

[@jesusgarza8896]

I just start my business mowing and a lady did asked me to do a works just like this one !! Thanks god that I found this video it’s going to help me a lot !! Gob bleed you man for sharing this!!

[@gambit1001]

Ok, watched this 3 times , getting started ordering supplies, wish me luck! 😅

[@Juststartingout768]

How did it go?

[@delunaaa9220]

how was it :D easy enough? where did u get the supplies from

[@gambit1001]

It went very well, just adding the drainage i felt was important, so I ended up making a french drain. If you are patient, or better off, have 2 people, it's not so bad. Got stones from a local supplier

[@tonyp4914]

Luck? We need an update😂

[@MohankumarSusilaRengaswamy]

He doesn’t seem to put drainage lines down there. Did he?

[@JoeBurby]

Man, watching you is like watching Stacey David make modifications to cars! So informative and descriptive, showing everyone that they can do it!

[@thomasbrovarone7136]

You crack me up Shipmate. You give us weekend DIYers more advice and guidance beyond the wood shop. That's why I follow you and your channel. Keep Charging ,

[@hhprogressiveconstruction1140]

Being versatile with content expands viewers and keeps people watching . Doing one thing doesn’t work anymore like woodworking etc .

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Thanks, Tom! It's fun to switch it up now and then and spruce up the yard too.

[@tbuc2920]

A recovering engineer , now that made me LOL. What I did get out of this video that I never seen before was the stone you put behind the pavers wrapped in fabric. I really like that idea. Your engineering came through with that knowing you always need proper drainage , good job also help in securing the back. I will be doing that on my future paver wall.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

yes, got that tip from some pro landscapers

[@kaaaashock]

​@@Fixthisbuildthat When you did the stone drainage, did you run the water out anywhere, or was it just flowing into the stones and that was enough? Thanks for the informative video!

[@aimielin3991]

Amazing job! Every household needs one handyman like you. Haha

[@cg5469]

PRO-TIP for leveling - Use Water = lubricant. Water with shower mode all paver base and sand then leveling becomes a Liquid Dream....do not over do it. Also, I like to set my block out and hose it down as well - a clean block is a happy block.

[@calvinsao1362]

I just want to say thanks to you! What you have demonstrated and your instructions are really doable, and I and my wife spent a week to build a three-tier retaining wall. This is our first time to diy a retaining wall.

[@SageOfSixxPaths]

I watched this video just because and didn’t pay any mind to it… now you just gave me an idea for my front yard. Amazing work 👊🏽👊🏽

[@pcken9067]

This dropped at the perfect time, we literally purchased a similar brick to test in our next project. Great information and seeing the process from start to finish, challenges included will be very helpful. Thank you!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

You're welcome! Good luck with your project

[@rr84]

Same here! I just layed down the first layer. After watching this video I"ll need to go double check it! haha

[@dantrav1927]

This will not last it’s a waste of time and effort

[@1N1kk1]

Your video held my attention like no other landscaping video has before- very clear explanations and I love your positive attitude!

[@jcepri]

GREAT job. That wall looks amazing. I really appreciate how you showed the problems and how you dealt with them vs. these "antiseptic" project videos where everything goes just perfectly. I always encounter issues, so that was really validating.

[@adriankap2978]

So true! Who would have thought the in line level could have been off. I bought 2 of those exact ones and now need to get the blue string levels.He handled it perfectly and its a good thing he waited till the next morning to recheck.

[@apsey3596]

I have never seen anyone sponsored by home depot, but you are the perfect one to be! I can appreciate the work that goes in here... especially during the months where the bugs come out. Already worked for maybe 20 mins outside and have 6 bug bites from early spring. Great job!

[@LauraReevesartist]

Well crud - this is the best video I have ever seen about dealing with the slope and how to do the leveling and installation. I couldn't' find a good video before and ended up buying white limestone rectangles - not these pavers so I will need to figure out how to use your principles of construction and installation on the rectangles but man - I wish I'd seen this BEFORE I bought the ones I got. Great freaking job -

[@LauraReevesartist]

Ok after rethinking I think I'll use those rectangles shaped limestones in the back yard and get what you used for the front - I mean is that even a thing or am I over thinking -

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Not familiar with those, but leveling and stacking should use the same principles no matter the stone type

[@LauraReevesartist]

@@Fixthisbuildthat yes thank you of course you are right - and of course no curves on the corners since these don't have slanted sides. And I'm going to have to use them as Home Depot is completely out of the ones you used. Thank; you for your help! Great video!

[@phillhart2990]

Really helpful that you showed the places where you had problems. That helps others with the learning curve (or literal "curve" in this case). Nice job.

[@Dasan1111]

This guy is the best DIYer . His examples are wonderfully simple and everyone can follow them so easily.

[@shelbykoch655]

I believe I’m using the exact same stones and the bottom of them are flat. I opted to install my first row upside down to make leveling the stones a bit easier. You can then flip your subsequent rows right side up. Note this won’t work if your stones have a locking lip on them.

[@elaineteut9579]

Our yard slopes up in the back and it was a pain to mow, so my husband and I built a garden just like that and it turned out so nice. The rose bushes, Aster, Poppy plant and Lilies are doing beautifully. Love it.

[@drewrobert26]

Any chances you have pictures posted somewhere? My yard also slopes up and I’ve been contemplating a garden with a retaining wall. Looking for lots of examples to figure out what I want to do!

[@SawdustmakerLori]

Wow....what a transformation!!! Looks AWESOME! You did a great job and thanks for sharing. Your tips will be very helpful to anyone wanting to do something similar. Happy Mother's Day to Susan!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Thanks, Lori! And Susan says thank you so much!

[@minervas_garden19]

Great video! Not a landscape fabric fan for the actual garden beds, but certainly for the drain rocks. Thanks for sharing!

[@cindyacuff6456]

Same. I will never use landscape fabric again. It’s expensive, a pain, the weeds get through, and they are hard to pull, because the roots don’t come through. I ended up tearing it out of about six beds.

[@meganhoward3137]

I really enjoy your videos. I appreciate all of your tips and struggles but mostly, your sense of humor. "I'm a recovering engineer" is the best! 😂

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thanks!

[@rosew.w9513]

What a difference the wall made. Excellent job! ❤❤❤

[@klg642002]

Great tutorial and explanation on the leveling / curve installation. One trick I learned from a land scape guy is to use a dead blow mallet as the regular rubber mallets bounce on the bricks and don't shift them enough. Th dead blows have weighted heads but are still soft. They wont cause chips o cracks.

[@Jimbo10250]

Wow great video. I'm a recovering engineer too, and over-think things sometimes. But that's better than just slopping through something and not liking the end result. Drives my wife crazy who likes to just do it and get it done.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Glad I'm not alone :)

[@sharazar]

Turned out great. I have had a stack of wall block sitting for about 2 years waiting to be made like this but have not had the energy to get started. I want to do it myself but the thought of my back going out after has keep me from starting. I need to try this year. The video makes it look easy

[@sirbixalot73]

I happened to be using the same blocks on my project and your video helped me with the curve. I would not have thought to start at the curve. Thanks for the tips!

[@cjbarber16]

Great video, helped me to do my own flower bed. But to other viewers, check your paver base before purchasing. I used Home Depot’s and it had 2-3inch rocks, brick chunks and I even found a nail.

[@nicolechew1029]

I did this exact same wall about 2 years ago. No experience. No idea what I was doing. I couldn't find a video that exactly explained what to do so I kind of piecemealed a few videos together. If I had had this video, my life would have been a lot easier 🤣🤣

[@mulazo]

Loved the digging synced with the flamenco guitar riff! Great instructions as well.

[@maxhsieh1670]

Thanks for this video. Keep watching it and go to home depot over and over, prepare stuff by following your list. Finally I finished mine. Tired but also have a sense of accomplishment after all the job done.

[@ZoeSmith-s4j]

I have the very same tumbler rock. I didn’t use supporting rocks in a trench. They need redone anyway because it’s been 9 years since we installed them. I wouldn’t use landscape fabric though. In a year or two weeds will grow through and seeds will deposit on the mulch then you’ll need to rip up that fabric. But very nice end result on the stones.

[@littlebrookreader949]

Great border! Great instructions! Great editing! Fun to watch … ! 🙂

[@KevinMichaelMichael]

Loved the editing decision when you were removing the sod in time with the salsa music. Super fun. Thanks

[@achillesheel1231]

Great video. I have a solution for a couple of problems you encountered. If you started from the left side, you could have eliminated the cut block on the top layer. The sidewalk and steps are fixed and the right side could be whatever width needed to finish cleanly. Start from the curve on the left. Measure a half block starting against the brick wall and get a nice even layout of full blocks to the left side curve. Then run the width to the right side curve. It should line up to be the same distance to the brick as the left side and the half block will be the same on both sides. Nice job adapting to the situation on the fly, though.

[@crustydownunder]

Not bad, mate. Not bad at all. I've done walls like this one, and that's about how I would do it. I don't use string lines, but everything else is spot on. Great job, looks awesome. Cheers from Australia.

[@nowirehangers2815]

How do you get it straight without lines?

[@crustydownunder]

@@nowirehangers2815 Nothing wrong with using a string line. Since the brick work on the house has visible lines for each course of bricks, you need the new rock wall to be level. But since it's only a foot high, going by eye and judging off the courses of brick work, I wouldn't use a string line. But as I said, nothing wrong with using a string line. I used to use a string line, and still do if I'm building a brick wall, or anything of any height.

[@nowirehangers2815]

@@crustydownunder thanks Crusty Looking into building something like this along the front of my house in front of the brick so I’ll take that into account.

[@LilahLily87]

I did this before your video dropped. My mom and dad used to be professional landscapers and this thing a lot in they’re younger years. You did a great job on this. The only thing I would recommend is use landscapers fabric in between the sand and the pavers as well as on the backside in between the paver and the new soil that you put in and that will prevent the plants from growing into the wall.

[@pasaiy.8578]

For the brick wall, do you put a plastic underneath? My concern is will prolonged watering of the garden, cause the house to sink?

[@LilahLily87]

@@pasaiy.8578 all landscapers fabric may be a plastic polymer. It is very very porous and basically acts as a giant filter. It allows for water to flow out but dirt to not.

[@timothymbess]

13:34 - I see that Gorilla Cart. Mine gets used 3-4x per week. It's indispensable. I used the 3 slots on one of the side rails to attach a row of vertical PVC pipes hanging off the outside of the cart. Makes it easy to drop in shovels, rakes, etc., and wheel them around your property, and you can still fill up the cart with hand tools, dirt, or whatever else. I used to just toss them into the cart, but long-handled tools would tend to flop out and fall (especially rakes).

[@davidh.8513]

Great job and the stone fit tight together with NO gaps. Your camera work and audio were also GREAT!

[@terrythomas790]

He talked to fast. I turned the speed back a notch and it was so much better.

[@ShopNation]

Came out great, well done!

[@josh_watson]

Do you two know each other? Based solely on what I can pick up about your personalities from your content, you could totally be friends. lol cheers!

[@Karma0jun]

Brad - great job. I spent my pre-professional years (HS, College, Graduate Sch) in all forms of construction and your details with explanations are great! Including the line level tip. I learned that digging footings in the 1970's -- by hand - with old duffers who only wanted to dig exactly what they needed - no more, no less. But they also could quote the freeze line they would dig to, and when someone set a wall or footing above the freeze line, they would shake their heads, and they would correct your naming conventions* My question is one of the heave/subsistence movement on such a wall - which your ECD hasn't addressed. It wasn't until the end (planning is everything, but everything cannot be planned before the start and you HAVE to adapt and overcome) that you discussed drainage with the geotextile fabric behind the wall. No need for weep holes or a drain line with such a small bed, but how many years before this raised bed will need to be redone? Or if this wall begins to look off level due to freeze thaw and the weight atop the thaw base allowing some to subside, will you be pleased with the 'organic' adjustment to your level wall? *Cold Chisels are the name for heavy chisels intended for cutting iron or soft steel while cold - blacksmiths used heavy short chisels called "Hardy" chisel that fit in a mortise in their anvils and would place the material atop the hardy and cut it or punch it with the little hardy while the metal was red hot. Mortar chisels are similar in edge, but the thickness ends about 1/4 inch above the edge since you don't need that much material to make a long lasting chisel. You use a cold chisel for a few months and you need to regrind the edge - I have one from several generations ago and it is practically 1/3rd the length of the same model chisel today. All my mortar chisels from 100 years ago are only about 1/2 shorter than they should be on the blade but the mushroomed head has been dressed once or twice to eliminate the mushroom. Mortar or Stone or Brick chisels are either toothed for dressing the face of stone, or flat masonry chisel for straight cuts or for joints.

[@jamiewallace4339]

You're the man, Brad! OMG. I'm so thankful to have done across your tutorial. Yours one of the first I've watched that left me feeling more confident about my project, even as a beginner and with no follow-up questions. Your in-depth direction and attention the detail covered all the bases to satisfy my anxiety, ADHD, and OCD. Really and that's no easy feat. You managed to actually addresseverything that I would ask in my crazy little mind. Usually, I end up with more questions that I can't get direct answers to, or I feel totally overwhelmed because of the vague direction. I will definitely keep an eye out for more of your tutorials because I've never felt better prepared to take on a project and do it well. Thank you again! 🙏

[@markeroon]

@Karma0jun Hi, how would you go about ensuring that the wall remains level? Rebar?

[@Karma0jun]

@@markeroon Great Question, but I have a disappointing answer. There is no method I know that will ensure a wall remains level. That said, @drraymond57 in following comments covers two aspects. You must have a firm foundation (usually concrete footing with rebar or packed stone/gravel/rock - clearly a solid substrate compacted down. Think the Roman Roads - we see stones from 2000 years ago still forming a road! They may not have analyzed the soil as we do but they did have horses and spear handles - watching a horse step and seeing how the ground shifted (how big or deep a hoof print) or how much could you compact the ground with the butt of your spear - they did their substrates right. You get your substrate compacted and level, turn your formed block over so that the smooth edge is your base, and go from there. With retaining wall blocks that have a lip which overhangs, I guess you shift it to one side or you break the lip off so that you have the most level base to start with. Having the gentle curve gives the wall another dynamic in that it won't tip over easily since the length on the side lends some lateral strength. Real strength if there was pressure from the dirt behind it (ie., more than 5 courses or so high) you would need to: 1) place anchors to hold the wall against the forces; 2) put some sort of tie into the footing or substrate - usually rebar or threaded rod cemented into the base to hold the wall as one plane against the force; 3) put weep holes or water pipes every 3 or 4 courses to drain the ground water pressure out of the back fill. Root heave will force the wall to heave or tilt, if you don't dig and put a substrate below the freeze line you will get yearly freeze thaw heave (we see concrete porches separating from houses in cold climates where they skimped on the porch foundation footing depths - it is odd to see a porch tilting away from a house - there is supposed to be some angle for water drainage but when they tilt and there is a visible 2 inch gap from the house? Too much!). Thanks for the question Mark, sorry I only have these rules of thumb and such a long answer. To "reiterate", a solid foundation of substrate material which can be stone or gravel - even concrete with rebar; place that foundation below the freeze line by 4-6 inches minimum even if the freeze line is 18 inches, you will want to dig 24 inches in my opinion; respect the mass of fill on the high side of the wall - place anchors if needed (an engineer can give you the calculations, maybe google as well); and respect groundwater pressure.

[@joshbertt420]

Great video. When you are putting that base level or sand/rock give it a light spray with the hose. When its damp it'll tamp down much better than if it's really dry.

[@manojaswani7100]

Lot of helpful information in the best possible way. easy explanation for Newbie in DIY.

[@williamellis8993]

Looks great, Brad. Your ECD was shining through. I've used the blocks with the lip on the back and the trick to curves is to knock off either the outer section or the inner sections of the lip depending on whether it's an outer curve or an inside curve. Otherwise your joint spacing will be off (I also have ECD). Bill

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Yes, not having the lip on the back as a challenge...I'm sure that makes it easier in general

[@deehood3178]

@@Fixthisbuildthat I’m stuck and I could use your advise , how far is the trench is dug. My high side is 10.5 and low is 4 I divides and got 2.625. So my trench need too be what ?

[@ttualumni10]

Great video and will definitely use some of your tips; I’m doing round retaining wall rock borders around our live oak trees. We live on a ranch in central Texas and I will be using the natural granite stones we have on our property. I’m a little scared because they’re going to be asymmetrical so will see how it turns out! Great video.

[@TheDebymoore]

Enjoyed this I’m 68 and this helped me a lot !!!! Female

[@sg2037]

I loved "When I was a kid playing Army in the backyard". Lol, Great video. Thanks!

[@kakendrick62]

Thank you! I had been putting off a similar project because I was simply overwhelmed. You made this easier to understand and implement!

[@chrisy4011]

Love those tumbled Gardner blocks. I use those for my firepit

[@_Mackan]

Absolutely love how this turned out! A great starting point for garden renovation, would love to see more garden projects!

[@narcoholic22]

Beautiful!!! I’m doing mine step by step with your video this weekend. I’ll pause it between each step!!!! I can’t wait!!!!Huge difference. Curb appeal!! 🎉❤

[@its-probably_fine]

Exactly what my lawn needed, thank you !

[@chadchisum2194]

Nice video my dad did gardening and I help him we grew a lot of vegetables

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

can't wait to get our vegetable beds going in the back!

[@JustSaying789]

Amazing! I really loved watching this video of you showing how to build a retaining wall. Extremely Professional in Everything in this video incldg in your character of teaching. I wish I had money & knew you bc I'd Hire You Instantly and Pay you more than properly. I don't have money, nor the patience to even attempt to do it myself. Besides, it would take me forever. But this video has to be the Very Best Video out there for a person who wants to DIY. Great Job for the Making of this Video. Yes, Im gonna Gloat About It!

[@TheRawdawg]

Looks excellent! Great job.

[@honeybadger3408]

The wall looks fabulous. I love the darker mulch too because it gives good contrast to the greenery. Well done!

[@robgetek462]

Just what I needed! Awesome work!

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty beautiful work, Brad! Nicely done! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Thanks, MC!!!

[@JG-le8nf]

Awesome!! Great motivation for me to play with dirt this weekend

[@nawtyshygirl6468]

Very nice I’m gonna try it, upgrade my garden bed, love your work and humor.

[@brettrussell561]

Yo that break at 2:41 was slick 😂 very informative video, I appreciate the content, but that elevated it to another level.

[@farrokhmabhouti9257]

Great detailed video. It helped me a lot specially the levelling part. Thank you 👍

[@mildadof4grlz]

great video, this is exactly what I am trying to do. question I got step 1 paver base sand and i found step 2 is basically the same. do you recommend using the first layer of pea gravel and then paver sand??

[@hanalorej5778]

Very nice results. Beautiful!.

[@marilynnschroeder4436]

Impressive! You’re like me, with that one stone you cut twice to get it just right!

[@mountain958]

Great job.well done you. Greetings from Ireland.

[@vmarsfiles]

Came out awesome! I love it!

[@ufer1104]

Nice job, Mr. Rodriguez! My wife and I are working on clearing out a space for a small fruit/vegetable down here in Franklin. Yard work is hard work!

[@stianaslaksen5799]

This was pretty inspirational. Great job!

[@robertkerby2581]

Wow, an amazing wall, and flower bed! Well done!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thank you!

[@jeremym1158]

Good video! I'm using many of the same tools and materials, to include the tumbled stone bricks. Sure wish I would've found your video first! I'm 4 courses in, and realized I didn't follow the inset pattern!! I've been backfilling the gaps with gravel behind the wall. Darn.

[@kanecidaily5645]

Very good video and very informative! Thanks

[@sierraanders4214]

Looks Amazing!! You’ve done a Great Job on that Flower Bed and it’s going to look great for years to come and low maintenance. Thanks for Sharing. ( I’m Saving this post) 😉

[@fonzi42]

Just wanted to reach out and saw thank you for this video. It really helped me update and complete the garden bed and retaining wall at home. It turned out great. Thank you for the awesome content.

[@donlarsenjr2332]

Looks great. Nice Job.

[@portiabartel]

Great video! New homeowner here, I want to do something just like this but at the back of our yard against the fence. I assume in that case you'd just make a complete circle of stones instead of a wall if it's up against the back fence?

[@steviechristy7342]

this has finally made sense to me due to your work and explainations as you went along, Thanks, now I can do mine.

[@DJPacoRamirez]

Thanks for that knot trick!

[@ivnvz]

I just completed mine! Thanks for the awesome video!

[@thomasdutton6894]

When I did my edging a few years ago, it was also exhausting from a leveling standpoint. I feel for you

[@justlooking4771]

That looks great! I didn't even think about having to put small stones behind the wall to let it drain. I would have totally messed this up! Thanks for the how-to!

[@tylerreiser7861]

Good stuff. Just built a wall using only this video!

[@MOJUSA]

Beautiful flowers bed

[@JL-hw5hu]

Good video just subscribed! Great personality easy to watch and learn from. Love the honesty. The paver 2 garden beds near deck video brought me here.

[@adamkral8110]

This was the perfect video I needed before starting this project. Thank you! BTW, you had me at “recovering engineer”. Subscribed

[@superrando837]

Loved the flamenco as well

[@asmithD]

This was amazing to watch! Thanks for sharing!

[@EdnaWilkes-cy6ki]

Enjoy watching you beautiful your front yard. Women learn how to do projects like this watching you. Great video. How much did this cost you?

[@darrinlindsey]

I like the look of tumbled stone. But, I like to use the wall stones that have a cavity in the bottom. They level so much easier.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

yes, definitely a trade off

[@samtx5518]

line levels never get plastic always get the aluminum ones…! Great job senor.

[@butter254]

Great tutorial. Definitely gives me the confidence to do the same. Why so much landscape fabric though? Why is that even necessary?

[@rkgooner89]

Wowsers, mate that is a beautiful job!

[@erinvela1555]

This actually helped me tons. Thank you for posting this video.

[@cliff5240]

Man you dig fast! :) looks great!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Wish it really went that fast!

[@reyponce]

Used this video for help on doing my first garden bed remodel and we love the results. Thank you for sharing this video!

[@iwm7612]

EXCELLENT JOB!