How to improve volcanic rock retaining wall?

shurlly

Hi everyone,

I just moved into a new home in Melbourne. The previous owner built a retaining wall in the front yard using large volcanic rocks. However, the rocks are placed very unevenly and the overall appearance feels messy.

I would like to improve the look of the wall and make the edge more tidy and structured, but the rocks are very heavy and I can’t move them easily.

Here are my questions:

1. Are there any landscaping tricks to make the existing rock layout look more neat without lifting them?
2. Can I add something (like timber, pavers, or metal edging) in front of the rocks to give it a straight edge?
3. What would you suggest if I want to keep the cost low and avoid redoing the entire wall?

I’ve attached some photos of the wall for reference.

Thanks so much for your help and ideas!

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @shurlly. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about garden edging.

It looks like the volcanic rocks have been placed quite randomly, so instead of reading as a structured retaining wall or edging, they give more of a scattered appearance. You could try adding more of the same rocks to create a denser, more intentional look, but unless they're carefully arranged, it may still appear untidy.

If you're aiming to create a tidier edge without removing the existing rocks, it is possible to install a timber or steel edging strip in front of them to give the area a cleaner line. However, because the rocks don't form a uniform edge, you'd likely have gaps between the rocks and the new edge—so it might not give the crisp finish you're after unless you're prepared to backfill or cover the gaps with mulch or soil.

If you're leaning towards a more structured and tidy look long term, you might consider listing the volcanic rocks for free in a local community group—often someone will be happy to collect them for their own landscaping. Once cleared, you could install treated pine sleepers or metal garden edging for a clean and low-cost finish, and then replant or mulch the area behind to soften the look.

Here's a helpful guide: How to choose garden edging.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell