ᐅ Building Tips for a Mediterranean-Style Garden Wall

Hello,

I want to build a wall like the ones shown in the pictures. I will use irregular natural stones and a mortar made with trass cement. A strip foundation is also planned.

Height 1.8m (5 ft 11 in)

The stones have a diameter of 15–45cm (6–18 inches). They are loose bulk material.

Can I just build the wall up directly, or do I basically need two separate walls with the irregular gaps filled with mortar?

Do you have any tips or advice?

Many thanks

At 1.8 meters (6 feet), this is a job for a professional. Working with natural stone is not easy; even when using mortar, some stones will need to be shaped, and the pressure from the soil should not be underestimated. The question alone shows that you haven’t fully familiarized yourself with the topic yet, as a retaining wall should have a base width of about one-third of its height. Simply building it up vertically is definitely not an option (and doesn’t work with irregular stones either), and I’m skeptical even about two rows. Simply filling gaps with mortar is not a permanent solution, and drainage for the hillside water must also be considered. There are also smaller details like the proper footing...

A more manageable option for DIY is a wall made of formwork blocks filled with concrete, with natural stone veneer applied in front. At 1.8 meters (6 feet), this is still borderline for amateurs but is significantly more stable thanks to the concrete and reinforcement.

PS: It’s best to visit a natural stone supplier and try stacking some stones first. Puzzle games with 60-kilogram (130-pound) stones...

You will never manage it yourself or it will take an eternity.

The first post is constructive, and the idea of the retaining wall is helpful. I have also considered facing bricks/cladding. I’m not even sure if some of the photos don’t show facing bricks/cladding.

The second comment is unhelpful and does not contribute to the question or goal.