How to build a retaining wall and turf?

wardo

Hi Bunnings Community!

I recently moved in to a new house and whole outdoor area is covered in weed mat and gravel. Beneath it are rocks and concrete similar to the outside wall. The property is elevated and sloping towards the back. There’s a concrete retaining wall but isn’t too high. It’s just open at the side.

I’m hoping to have a plain flat turf with bamboo hedging like in the photo and would appreciate advice from the experts on retaining walls, drainage, etc. Thanks!

EricL

Hello @wardo

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about planting turf in your back yard.

I propose drawing up a plan on paper so that you'll have a list of steps you'll be taking to transform your gravel covered backyard into a green paradise. I recommend removing the gravel and setting it aside for another future project. It would be a shame to just cover it up with soil and this would also be an ideal opportunity to find out how much of the stones are around, and if there is any actual soil underneath all that gravel.

In order for the turf to survive there has to be enough soil on top to support healthy turf roots. Putting in a retaining wall around the back yard perimeter would be a good idea as this will prevent the soil from being washed away. Installing a drainage system is mandatory as all that water will need to be properly redirected to your storm water drain. I suggest getting the measurements of your backyard and calculating how much soil you'll need for the turf.

As for the bamboo hedge, it will be necessary to dig a large trench to make room for its roots. It's also important to find out if the rock/soil combination has good draining qualities. If the rock/soil holds too much water you might need to build a raised planting bed for the bamboo hedge.

Here is a link to ideas and inspiration: Top 10 most popular backyard projects

Here are some handy guides and discussions that will help with your project:

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @diy_hausdesigns for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Evening @wardo

I was just going through your photos and in particular looking at the drop behind your rear fence. Raising that area with a retaining wall may be an issue. You could have a step back with a shorter retaining wall and in that space you could plant those bamboo plants you want.

I like the steps @EricL has outlined. They are the same I would suggest to go throught, right down to keeping the gravel/pebbles for a later project and even potentially any of teh rocks you may dig up while leveling the yard.

The white stones could potentially be used in a low gabion retaining wall with a mesh within the cage. Tho I think Retaining Wall Blocks would work well with only two or three courses needed. If you drop the soil level at the rear of your house even by 150mm and then raise the soil level near the back fence to give you the least soil needed for the largest flat area you can. That drain grill you have needs to stay and probarrly be a good point to have level.

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @wardo

I would start with getting information on the stormwater pit seen in photo 1. There is an obvious easement that will have some impact on your backyard design. Then come up with a basic design from the helpful links and suggestions both @EricL and @Dave-1 have provided. mark this out with marking spray-paint.

I would then hire a local bobcat operator to remove all the stones and re-grade the ground according to your layout. Pre-book a delivery of screen top soil to give you around a 100mm top layer over existing. Once the stones are removed, the bobcat can then spread the top soil across the entire area and grade the fall as required. This will give you a nice clean page with a usable base to work on the next steps of your garden design.

Bobcat hire is around the $400-ish mark for a min set of hours usually 4. To take dispose of the stones etc will be a charged at a local hard waste rate depending on where they can be accepted. The Bobcat operator may have sites needing any rough fill, so a cheap possibly free exercise. But if it has to go to landfill, then not so. But in my mind it's a worthy expense for the outcome.

The workshop is a great resource for both inspiration and expertise from garden planners to there seek next steps advice.

Nailbag