Raised planting beds, framed by an attractive garden wall, provide interesting variations in height for otherwise flat landscapes. And while you can build an attractive wall from almost anything, stone is a classic building material that lends itself well to this application. Several inches lower than a conventional retaining wall, a garden wall doesn’t require the same kind of structural engineering as a taller retaining wall. This wall project is about 18" above grade and was built with dry-fit Credit Valley limestone. This material is considered a premium stone at most stone yards in Southern Ontario. Your local stone yard should carry a wide-variety of man-made and natural stone options that could be used to build a similar garden wall.
Builder’s tip: Don’t underestimate materials to conserve costs. Order an additional 10 per cent of materials to allow for flexibility in colour, stone size and waste.
Wall options
Natural stone
Primary material: Large, flat stones with relatively uniform dimensions. Limestone and sandstone are the most popular choices.
Additional materials: Sand and gravel are needed for the foundation; mortar is sometimes used to fill gaps between stones; gravel backfill; and drainage pipe.
Basic construction: Stones are stacked and overlapped. Intended to be
flexible and resettle after any frost movement.
Cost of materials: Usually sold by the ton, with one ton enough for
approximately 20 cu. ft. of wall. $200/ton and up.
Man-made stone
Primary material: Concrete blocks available in a variety of patterns, surface textures, colours and dimensions. Manufacturers include Allan Block, Decor and Bradstone.
Additional materials: Sand and gravel are needed for the foundation; landscape fabric; adhesive for coping or cap row; gravel backfill; and for taller walls, drainage pipe.
Basic construction: Interlocking bricks are stagger-stacked, with each course set back slightly from the one below. Add backfill between courses for more stability.
Cost of materials: Usually sold by the piece. Average $2 to $5/block, but can go higher.
Poured concrete
Primary material: Premixed concrete (a mix of portland cement, gravel and sand).
Additional materials: Lumber to frame wall while concrete sets; gravel backfill; drainage pipe.
Basic construction: Concrete is poured into a wooden form built on top of a frostproof foundation. Higher walls are reinforced with rebar. This is the least DIYable option.
Cost of materials: Approximately $5/50 lb. bag.
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