Create a usable front yard with a retaining wall

Retaining wall - MyFixitUplife

We love our retaining wall! Beyond the commanding presence and usable front yard we’ve gained–forget the mower gymnastics of the former yard– the wood wall creates little nooks for spots of colorful flowers.

‣ MyFixitUpLife Mark and Lexi on her 4th birthday, the day after we finished building
Mark and Lexi on her 4th birthday, the day after we finished building

This was the first project we completed at our MyFixitUpLife home. We selected pressure treated southern pine to build the wall, and it looks about the same as the day we finished it, even after the years of snowstorms, sunny days, and kids climbing around on it.

Do it right the first time.

Building a retaining wall takes careful planning, and if you want to build a wall like the one at our house, you might need to have your local building inspector measure the post hole depth before you can start making above-ground progress.

Equipment tip.

If you aren’t a professional, but want a professional-looking result, take the time to get the right tools for the job. It doesn’t always make sense to invest in professional-grade tools and equipment if you are only building one retaining wall. Rent the equipment or tools. We do.

We rented equipment and put our equipment-master friend Mike at the helm to dig most of the post holes, making the job much smoother, take less time, and way more fun.

For more details, visit our house project website www.FormalFarmhouse.com

 

 

 

‣ MyFixitUpLife Retaining wall - MyFixitUplife

‣ MyFixitUpLife Retaining wall - MyFixitUplife

‣ MyFixitUpLife Retaining wall - MyFixitUplife

‣ MyFixitUpLife Retaining wall - MyFixitUplife

‣ MyFixitUpLife Retaining wall - MyFixitUplife

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Mark
A licensed contractor, tool expert, wood and outdoor enthusiast, and elite Spartan Race competitor, he writes about home improvement and tools for national magazines and websites, and teaches hands-on clinics for other remodeling professionals. Check out his book, The Carpenter's Notebook.

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My Fix It Up Life discusses the importance of a retaining wall. Why are retaining walls crucial for landscaping?

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