Veggie Garden + Retaining Wall
Sooo, one day you say to your significant other that a vegetable garden would look good and work perfectly on that hill in the back yard, and the next thing you know she asks why you don't just build it. I did my typical "new age" homeowner search on google and youtube to get an idea of what I needed to do. I did come across many variations of different solutions but none would have fit my specific need (multi-tier retaining wall/vegetable garden). hope this can assist you with your future or rebuild project. This will be a 2yr approach, this year is tier#1.
Disclaimer: I wouldn’t call myself a landscaper but I’m pretty good with my hands and anything that requires assembly. Building this was a lot easier than I had thought! How did I do it you ask? I’m a better visual learner so here are the tools needed for the job….so far.
Tools
- Hammer
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18V cordless drill or a drill with a long extension cord (or 18-20V Cordless)
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Drill bits
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Large and small shovel
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Level
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Table saw
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L Angle
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Black sharpie
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Measuring tape
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PPE (Goggles, Dust Mask, etc)
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Wheelbarrow
Material
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8” & 12” HG spikes
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3” Deck screws
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Wood supplies (If pressure treated make sure it’s safe for veggie gardens. Ex. Copper Azole)
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4x4x8
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2x6x8
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How did I get from A – B?
Lets be real, there are many different ways this could've been done but at the end of the day I want it to last 10yrs if possible and give us food in the summer. I figure by the time the kids are teens, I can put the kids to work and have them rebuild it!
STEP#1
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Sketched (Engineered) my design about 4x until I had the structural support, look and ease of installation
STEP#2
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Build a parts list to determine what you will need, less trips to the hardware store the better.
STEP#3
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Measure, Mark and Cut your pieces. Set each piece up as you are building it
STEP#4
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Measure and Mark your locations and level off the ground if needed.
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If you can get ~2" depth you should be good.
STEP#5
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Start your installation.
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Place your pieces
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Drill holes
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Hammer in spikes (12" if going into the ground. 8" If through 4×4)
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Mark location of spike on 4×4
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place tie-back
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drill hole
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affix tie-back to 4×4 with 8" spike
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place next 4×4
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repeat the drilling of holes upto mark locations
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place next piece on top
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ensure this piece spikes connect to the two 4×4 pieces below
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repeat until you hit the top
STEP#6
- Reap what I sow.
Next Steps:
As you can see I have started a walkway that will seperate next years planter that will go right under it. Our owl friend is there to "hopefully" keep the birds out of our tomatoes . What summer projects do you have going on in your yards this summer?