| One of the features you might want to add to your project is a raised flowerbed or garden. One of the nicest looking ways to do that is with a rock retaining wall. Like all vertical projects you need to start with a good foundation. I like to dig down three to six inches and level the ground. Always start with the biggest rocks on the bottom. Put some loose dirt in your trench before placing the rocks and settle the rocks into the loose dirt to make a good base. Next I put fill dirt in behind the rocks and pack it really good. Place the next row of rocks on top of the first packing dirt in behind as you go. It's kind of like putting a puzzle together so try to make the pieces fit as tight together as possible. If you have some small holes fill them with smaller rocks. It's actually good to put a lot of smaller rocks behind the big one to help hold back the dirt when the rains come. As you go up it's good to set each row back a little bit. It doesn't have to be a lot but enough to give each row a little support on the bottom. Fill it all in with dirt and pack it good. Run some water to help the dirt settle and pack it again.  1. Use a hand truck to move the rocks around. This works a lot better than a wheelbarrow or wagon. We moved 7 1/2 tons of rock into our back yard, down a hill this way. 2. Stretch out good before you begin to work. If you don't know any good stretch exercises check out these sites. Stretching is very important prior to doing strenuous work. www.exrx.net www.docwong.com Now stretch it out and roll them rocks. |