Parksyp

Hi Declan, Further to what you were saying I have sketched out how I imagine that might work - see below. Do I need something to contain the hardcore that the capping stone is going to be sitting on? I want to have soil for planting on the left of it and without more of a wall won't the hardcore 'escape'?

Thanks Declan - that is really helpful. And thanks all for all the answers and convincing me to go with concrete foundations.

Hi Declan, Thanks for your reply. I have amended the drawing to reflect what you suggest. (I think!) So - to be clear - even concrete blocks on compacted type 1 isn't good enough - you would always use a concrete foundation? Is the foundation and the block wall to the edge of the planting and patio overkill? ie is the area shaded blue excessive? It obviously isn't retaining the mass of earth but needs to support the limestone capping stone that runs alongside the pavers. Thanks again for your help and experience - really appreciated.

Hi All, I am using lockdown to do some long needed changes to the garden. I am replacing and pushing back a victorian brick retaining wall and want to incorporate some planting between it and the patio that will sit behind it. The wall will be less than 700mm high. I am intending to incorporate drain and drainage gravel to take the water away from behind the wall although I have had is suggested that this is overkill at this height. Would do it properly though.. I am intending to use 7KN solid blocks for building the wall. I have a couple of questions. 1. Am I ok to use compacted MOT1 for the foundations rather than putting in concrete foundations? I have read that it is better than concrete for retaining walls but some people say that you should use concrete. I am intending to use a type 1 base rather than concrete because of the limited height of the wall. 2. What is the best way to create the planting space between the wall and the patio. To my mind either the front or the back of the planting could be the true retaining wall, with the other side being purely to contain the planting area and to edge the patio - which will be pavers. I have attached a couple of plans of how I think it could work but would be grateful to get some thoughts and experience on this. I am keen to avoid over-engineering the wall with two full walls just to have some small planting along the edge of the patio, but also don't want the edge of the patio to start moving after a few years. I would rather be clever about rather than just throwing lots of concrete at the problem. 3. How stable is drainage gravel? If I am putting this behind the retaining wall then the patio edging will be partly on top of it. Could this cause a problem or does it compact well enough to give the support to a patio and the patio edging/back of the planting? Any guidance appreciated. I am keen to and enjoy doing the work myself but like anything there is no replacement to bringing experience to bear on a project like this!