How to Lay Landscaping Fabric Behind a Retaining Wall
A retaining wall adds beauty and architectural interest to a landscape, providing a support wall around planting areas or other features in a yard. Building a retaining wall does not require extensive skill or experience because the stones or bricks fit together tightly without mortar in many cases. After building a retaining wall, take the time to lay landscaping fabric behind the stones or bricks to contain the soil. By creating a barrier, you can prevent the soil from seeping through the wall to preserve the integrity of your wall for many years.
Step 1
Unroll the landscape fabric the approximate depth of the cavity behind the wall.
Step 2
Place the edge of the landscape fabric down behind the retaining wall, allowing the edge to fall all the way down to the bottom of the cavity.
Step 3
Lay the landscape fabric still connected to the roll over the top edge of the retaining wall.
Step 4
Cut off the landscape fabric with the scissors so that the top edge of the fabric lies on top of the wall.
Step 5
Repeat the process with landscape fabric along the entire wall to create a barrier on the backside of the wall.
Step 6
Fill the cavity with gravel and soil. The Lowe’s website recommends placing a 6-inch layer of gravel closest to the wall if your wall is taller than 2 1/2 feet. Pour a layer of gravel about 6 inches wide and 6 inches deep and then add soil to fill in the same depth as the gravel. Continue adding gravel and soil in 6-inch-deep layers to fill the cavity until you fill it completely.
Step 7
Cut off the extra landscape fabric lying on top of the retaining wall, making the fabric even with the top of the wall.
Step 8
Cover the fill you poured into the cavity with decorative stone or mulch, if you desire.
Things You Will Need
- Roll of landscape fabric
- Scissors
- Gravel
- Soil
- Decorative stone or mulch (optional)