How to Build a Curved Retaining Wall
- 1). Lay the blocks on the ground along the outer edge of the bed, following the contours of the bed.
- 2). Drive an edging shovel into the ground an inch away from the blocks on both sides to create a score line. Remove the blocks.
- 3). Dig a trench between the score lines that is half the height of the blocks. Level the soil in the trench and tamp it down.
- 4). Place the first block into the trench. Place a level across the top of it side-to-side and front-to-back, tapping down on the block with a rubber mallet to level it if needed.
- 5). Set the second block into the trench next to the first brick. Lay the level across both blocks, and lightly tap the second brick with the hammer to even it out with the first block if you need to.
- 6). Continue laying blocks into the trench until the first course is done.
- 7). Fill the gaps between the blocks and the sides of the trench, and any gaps between the sides of the blocks, with dirt and tamp them down. Partially burying the first course helps strengthen the wall.
- 8). Apply a thick bead of masonry adhesive on top of two of the blocks, running the adhesive from the center of one block to the center of the next block in a zigzag motion. Place a block on the adhesive so it spans the two blocks in the first course. Staggering the rows like this makes the wall stronger.
- 9). Continue laying the second course of blocks until it is complete.
- 10
Lay a third course of blocks, if desired, using the same technique you used for the second course.