I set out to build a concrete block retaining wall, thinking it would be a straightforward project. But there’s more to it ...

Q. I want to build a retaining wall that’s going to look great for years. At my last house, I had a short retaining wall around a patio that started to lean out toward the lawn. The little wall was ...

Flat, even landscapes are often coveted in backyards. However, flat backyards are not always found. Fortunately, varied terrain does not mean certain landscaping plans are entirely off limits, ...

Homes are not always located on flat lots. In fact, landscapes can feature hills and valleys, necessitating some extra steps ...

Last week I wrote about my recent trip to Southern California. I was fortunate to spend time with a dear friend and his wife. I don’t know that I’ve ever met a person who’s more in love with a home ...

Question: I’m planning a veggie garden on my sloping lot so I need a retaining wall. I have used timbers before, but blocks might hold up better. Which method do you prefer? Answer: Both methods for ...

Privacy, safety, security—these are only a few of the reasons that homeowners build solid, durable garden walls. Although it’s immensely satisfying to construct ...

The beautiful color of this cedar wood retaining wall by @tedmade.woodwork shows off the plants on both sides. A wood retaining wall is a more cost-effective choice than stone or concrete, but lacks ...

Many years ago, when I was young and foolish, I decided to build an 80-foot long terrace for fruit trees, and to edge it with a nice fieldstone retaining wall, using stones I could find on my property ...

The desire to have a bit of land to call your own is not an uncommon one. However, in the Bay Area, finding our own personal outdoor space can be a challenge. Some of us live in newer housing ...

It’s tragic to spend the time and money to build a retaining wall only to have it fail. Unstable walls can be dangerous; at the very least they are a discouraging waste of resources. Over the years we ...