Tag Archives: landscape

How to Build a Retaining Wall with Railroad Ties Retaining walls are essential landscape features that prevent soil erosion, create usable flat spaces on sloped terrain, and add visual structure to a yard

December 01, 2025   Shane

While materials like concrete blocks and natural stone are popular, railroad ties offer a rustic, durable, and often more affordable alternative. Their substantial size allows for quicker construction of taller walls. However, building with railroad ties requires careful planning and execution due to their weight and potential environmental considerations.

Important Preliminary Note: Modern railroad ties are often treated with chemical preservatives like creosote, which can be toxic. For any project near gardens or areas frequented by children and pets, it is highly recommended to seek out “new, non-treated” landscape timbers or recycled composite timbers designed to mimic the look of railroad ties. Always wear gloves, long sleeves, and a dust mask when handling old railroad ties.

Planning & Safety

  • 1. Check Local Regulations::

    • Before you begin, contact your local building department. Many municipalities have codes governing retaining walls over a certain height (often 3-4 feet), which may require a permit or professional engineering.

  • 2. Call Before You Dig::

    • In the U.S. and Canada, always call 811 or your local utility locating service at least a few days before digging. They will mark the location of underground lines for free.

  • 3. Design Your Wall::

    • Determine the wall’s length, height, and layout. A wall taller than 3-4 feet requires advanced techniques and professional consultation. For stability, the wall should lean slightly back into the hill (a “batter” of about 1 inch for every foot of height).

    Materials & Tools
    Materials:
    * Railroad ties or suitable landscape timbers
    * Drainage gravel (¾-inch crushed stone)
    * Landscape fabric (non-woven geotextile)
    * Deadmen anchors (for walls over 3 feet): extra railroad ties cut to 4-5 ft lengths
    * Rebar pins (12-18 inch lengths, ½-inch diameter)
    * Galvanized spikes (12-inch landscape spikes) or large lag bolts

    Tools:
    * Shovel, spade, and digging bar
    * Tape measure, level, and string line
    * Circular saw or chainsaw (with a sharp blade for treated wood)
    * Sledgehammer
    * Drill with a long wood bit (for pre-drilling spike holes)
    * Plate compactor or hand tamper
    * Wheelbarrow

    Step-by-Step Construction Guide

    Step 1:

    Excavate the Trench
    Mark the front line of your wall with string and stakes. Dig a level trench along this line. The trench should be wide enough to accommodate the full width of your tie and deep enough to bury the first course (layer) by at least one-third of its height. For a standard 7-inch tall tie, dig a trench about 4-6 inches deep. The trench base must be perfectly level and compacted.

    Step 2:

    Establish Drainage and Foundation
    Line the back of the trench (the side against the hill) with landscape fabric, allowing excess to drape up the excavated slope. Fill the trench with 2-3 inches of drainage gravel and compact it thoroughly. This gravel bed is critical for preventing water from pooling under the ties, which causes rot and heaving.

    Step 3:

    Lay the First Course
    Place your first railroad tie in the trench on the gravel bed. Check for level from front to back and side to side. Use gravel to shim and adjust until it is perfectly level. This course sets the stage for the entire wall, so take your time.

    Step 4:

    Secure the Ties and Build Up
    * Drill and Spike: For each subsequent tier, stagger the vertical joints like bricks for strength. Pre-drill holes at an angle through the new tie and into the one below. Drive 12-inch galvanized spikes through the holes to pin the ties together. Use at least two spikes per tie, positioned about one foot from each end.
    * Anchor with Rebar: For additional lateral stability, drive 12-18 inch rebar pins vertically through pre-drilled holes in the ties and into the ground below. Space these pins every 3-4 feet along the wall.
    * Install Deadmen (For Walls Over 3 Feet): Every 6-8 feet along the wall, install a “deadman”—a tie that extends perpendicularly back into the hillside. Bury it in a trench and spike it securely to the face ties. This acts as an anchor, tying the wall into the stable soil behind it.

    Step 5:

    Install Backfill and Drainage
    As you build each course, immediately backfill behind the wall with drainage gravel. Do not use native soil. The gravel layer should be at least 6-12 inches thick directly behind the wall. Wrap the landscape fabric over the gravel to prevent soil from clogging the drainage zone. Continue this process—lay a course, backfill with gravel, compact—until you reach the final height.

    Step 6:

    Cap the Wall (Optional)
    A final “cap” tie can be spiked horizontally along the top of the wall for a finished look. You can use a full tie or cut one lengthwise for a smaller cap.

    Step 7:

    Final Grading
    Once the wall is complete, backfill the remaining area behind the gravel drainage zone with native soil. Slope the final grade slightly away from the top of the wall to direct surface water runoff away from the structure.

    Long-Term Maintenance
    * Inspect Annually: Check for signs of bulging, leaning, or rot.
    * Ensure Proper Drainage: Keep weep holes (if installed) or the gravel base clear of debris.
    * Address Vegetation: Prevent tree and large shrub roots from growing into the wall structure.

    Conclusion
    Building a retaining wall with railroad ties is a demanding but rewarding DIY project that can transform a sloped, unusable area into a beautiful and functional landscape feature. By prioritizing a solid, level foundation, robust internal drainage, and secure mechanical fastening, you can construct a wall that is both strong and enduring. Always prioritize safety, don’t hesitate to seek help with heavy lifting, and consider professional advice for taller or complex walls. With careful work, your railroad tie retaining wall will serve your property for decades.

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    Brighten Your Path By Installing Decorative Landscape Lighting

    January 17, 2025   Matt

    Brighten Your Path By Installing Decorative Landscape Lighting

    Landscape lighting can add a beautiful quality to any home. There are many choices available to someone who is considering it. Landscape lighting, and any outdoor lighting, can help protect a home as well as keep people from stumbling in the yard. Mainly, people purchase landscape lighting to enhance the appearance of their yard or landscaping.
    There are many types of landscape lighting. You can purchase low voltage landscape lighting is recommended if you are interested in conserving energy. Another option to conserving energy is solar landscape lighting. Solar, or from the sun, is powered from the suns rays. It stores energy during the day while the sun is out and then, at night, when it is dark, they are lit using this saved energy. They give off a faint glow that really can light up a little area or large area. These types of outdoor landscape lighting can be great ways to light your yard cost efficiently.
    If you are considering doing work on your landscaping, consider landscape lighting design. Designing a beautifully light yard can be tough work, but there are professionals that can help you. For example, something that can be done is light a walkway to the front steps to your home or line the driveway with lights from the street to your garage. Maybe you would prefer to focus your lights on a single bush or tree that is special in some way or to shine on a flag.
    When considering landscape lighting, ensure that you think of safety first. Consider speaking with a professional to help you design what you would like your yard to look like. Consider as well using energy efficient landscape lighting such as solar or low voltage. Landscape lighting can add beauty and charm to a home when it is done properly and safely.

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    Landscape Architect Liability Law

    September 29, 2024   Matt

    Landscape Architect Liability Law

    The lability law stresses that a person who wishes to be registered as a landscape architect must complete at least 18 years and should have a moral character. He\she needs to have passed a specified exam and must have obtained a professional degree in Landscape architecture. He\she must complete any of the following criteria to get legal registration to practice as a landscape architect:

    * Complete at least 3 years of practical experience in an office or under a registered landscape architect.

    * Complete specified type of internship which is accepted by the state board of landscape architect examiners.

    Now there is an amendment in the law that the applicant who selects the first criteria requires to complete 3 years of practical experience in an office and under the registered landscape architect.

    The landscape liability law specifies that certificate of authorization to offer landscape architecture services can be issued to the corporation only when the persons owning 50% of shares in that corporation and more than 50% of interests in the corporation are professional engineers, surveyors and landscape architects.

    The landscape architect liability law allows the state board of landscape architects to establish fee to cover the cost for checks and other instruments returned by financial institutions due to insufficiency of funds.

    The law eliminates the requirement that the board hold examinations for applicants to practice as a landscape architecture not less than once annually. It also eliminates the requirement to include architect’s place of business on the architect’s certificate of qualification.

    The Bambi theory of liability was originated in New Jersey which specifies that the landscape architects were liable to recoup the cost of landscaping lost to the most voracious herbivore, white tailed deer. This theory stresses that the landscape architect have a duty to advice their clients that deer are more likely to consume the expensive planting they specify to be planted on vast areas.

    If the landscape architect fails to advice the client about this, the client can then have the right to recover the cost of landscaping lost. However this theory is not accepted by many people especially by the landscape architects and their lawyers. Hence a contract clause is included in this theory of liability.

    The new landscape architect liability law specifies that as no plant is deer proof, the landscape architect is not liable to repay the owner the cost of landscaping lost due to deer damage. However the landscape architect would need to provide the list of landscape plants which are rated as resistance to deer damage. This helps the landscape architect prevent himself from any of the legal actions.

    The landscape architect liability law suggests some professional liability of a landscape architect. Since a small omission or error can bring a legal action against the landscape architect, he\she needs to follow the professional liability strictly.

    In fact the actual responsibility of a landscape architect is to preserve the natural resources and to design and plan for environmentally friendly projects. The landscape architect therefore requires fulfilling his responsibility as per the law.

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    Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway

    September 24, 2024   Matt

    Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway

    Is your driveway landscaped? It should be.

    This includes the driveway itself, as well as the design elements on both sides. All sorts of materials from softscape options to hardscape are available to make your driveway attractive.

    Make A Good Entrance

    As the entrance to your home, the driveway should not be neglected. It can either be a scar on the other landscaping around the home or it can add depth to the entire look of your home. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on it either. You can be creative and choose attractive features, and have a very low cost landscape that is welcoming.

    Make sure that you take everything into account before choosing your elements. For example, if you are looking for minimal work, do not plant a flower bush at the end of your driveway where the plants can be ruined by those in your neighborhood. Instead, use an attractive fence or a rock garden.

    Another important aspect is the footpath to the home. Do not use any design elements that will be in the way of the normal foot traffic. You don’t want to visitors going out of their way, or worse, trampling your plants to reach your door.

    Hardscape Choice

    You have many options — common ones include walls and fences, which can add distinction and accent your driveway. A small fence can add character and color to the landscape. Use hanging baskets or lanterns on the fence for more charm.

    A large rock can be especially interesting, particularly when it has multiple colors. You can plant grasses and small flowers in the cracks of stones to create even more decorative looks.

    Softscape Choices

    On a limited budget, just landscaping along the sides of the driveway is an excellent option. It will cost little, yet add lots of beauty to your landscape design.

    As for softscape options appropriate to driveway areas, many things will work, such as a flower bed or groundcover along the driveway. This will create a border that is interesting and separates the lawn from the actual driveway.

    Ornamental trees and shrubs can do the same thing along the edge of the driveway. Shrubs can be cut to become topiary, which will add even more design elements to the look of the driveway landscape.

    Another thing to consider is the curved driveway. If your driveway has a curve in it, a great idea is to add a focal point — something to make a statement. For example, you can have a beautiful tree, a flower bed, or a rock garden there. Whatever it is it should be beautiful because the curve will focus attention at that point of your driveway. You can use water gardens, a wishing well, as well as many other types of elements to enhance this area and have it look amazing.

    Doing these landscaping operations can completely transform the entrance to your home. In a simple, affordable way, you can add character and depth to your landscape design around your driveway.

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    Working with Landscape Contractors

    August 25, 2024   Matt

    Working with Landscape Contractors

    Having a beautiful and functional landscape is every homeowners dream. Hi, My name is John C Wilkes III and I have workied in the landscaping industry for over a decade. I achieved my degree in Landscape Architecture and went straight into the design and build sector. I have worked around all kinds of contractors and have worked as a contractor myself. Now I’m ready to share my knowledge. My intention is to help all those interested in improving their landscape so they might avoid some serious pitfalls while fullfilling their landscaping dreams.
    We have all read articles similar to this one before and they all say the same thing. They encourage you to get three estimates, check references, and consult the BBB for each contractor you are considering. That’s all fine and dandy, but I’m here to explain how to deal with any contractor and get the results you want.
    First, you want to choose the contractor that’s right for you. One popular theory says that there are three aspects to consider. Those are timely service, quality work, and pricing. This theory states that you can’t get all three aspects with the same company. That is you can’t get great quality work, fast, at a competative price. There is some truth to this theory. That being the case you should decide what’s most important to you.
    Do you need the job done fast or is it ok if the contractor takes a few weeks to complete? Are you only interested in top quality work or it it ok if it’s a little rough in places? And are you willing to pay top dollar or are you looking to get more for less? You should consider these aspects thoroughly and then follow your instinct.
    Once you have chosen the contractor you want to work with you should handle your payments to him very carefully. After all that’s really all that’s motivating the contractor to come to your house and do the work. Most contractors will demand a deposit of 1/3 or 1/2 of the total job cost to put you on his schedule. You can go ahead and put down this deposit, but you need the agreement in writing which includes all specifications of work to be done and the time frame in which he will start and finish.
    Even if the contractor mentioned some work he could do during consultations you had with him, if it’s not in the contract then don’t expect it to get done. Even something as small as pruning some shrubs or clearing an area.
    Also make sure the contract has real time frames. If he says he can start in a week and complete within two weeks then get it in writting. Ask for a penalty clause that says for every day that goes by outside of the time frame set he will deduct 0 from total job cost. Contractors are familiar with this clause and should agree to it.
    Once a job is halfway completed, some contractors will ask for another payment. If the payment schedule was broken into thirds and the work is going well then go ahead and pay the contractor so he can complete the work. If things have gone very badly to this point then don’t pay and excuse the contractor from the job.
    When the job is almost completed the contractor will ask for the final payment. This is where you have to be strong. Make a list of all the details that have not been finished and tell the contractor he must finish the list before you will pay him the final payment. If you are comfortable you can pay him the majority of the final payment, but withhold 10% or so until the finishing list is completed.
    Do not pay the contractor the total final payment if he is not totally finished. Remember he is working for the money no matter how well you are getting along. Once he is paid he will go looking for the next paycheck from the next client.
    For more information about working with contractors and more landscaping information make sure you go to www.landscaperesolve.com. There you will find more valuable information you should consider before working to achieve your landscaping dreams.

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    The Proper Plants for the Landscape

    July 21, 2024   Matt

    The Proper Plants for the Landscape

    Exploring nature is a rejuvenating experience. However, exploring the forest may not fit into the daily schedule. Why not bring nature right into your courtyard?

    Landscaping Options

    Landscaping brings nature closer to home. It includes many elements: the area, design, weather and others. The over all look depends on the owner’s taste. Some want the effect of water (pools, waterfalls, etc.) and some like rocks, stones, etc.

    To create a very natural feel, you must use plants. They are most helpful in creating the total effect of the landscape. It should not be just any plant; it should be the most appropriate plant for the area and climate.

    Best Choice of Plants for the Landscape

    1. Groundcovers
    These plants are indispensable to a landscape as they can serve as backdrops for trees, shrubs, etc. There are many types of groundcovers to choose from.

    Sun-Loving
    Sunny areas are considered problematic. Many plants do not like direct sunlight. Juniper groundcovers and hardy perennials are very helpful in resolving this problem.

    Shade
    These plants cannot stand the heat of direct sunlight. They should be used in areas that are not exposed to the sun except for short periods of time. Most of the shade-loving plants are low-growing or mid-sized.

    “Attractive”
    Many flowering plants attract birds, butterflies, bees, etc. It is important to choose plants that grow pollens. Plants like bee balm, holly hock and red columbine attract hummingbirds.

    Aroma
    The garden can be made aromatic by using foliage plants. The lavender perennial plant’s flowers provide therapeutic scent. At the same time, it serves as a beautiful border.

    2. Wet Plants
    Some landscapes come with wet areas like artificial ponds or waterfalls. To avoid leaving it bare, plants that thrive in wet soils are used to give beauty and natural effect.

    3. Repellent Plants
    More than coming up with a good landscape, it is also necessary to maintain it and keep it free from intruders. Some plants are able to repel pests like the deer. Some ornamental grasses and flowers are used for deer control.

    4. Grasses
    These are also helpful in the garden. There are varying kinds of grasses, the ornamental type and the functional ones.

    Functional grasses are those that are used in the background. Lawn grass is an example. It serves as an outdoor carpet.

    Ornamental grasses appeal more to aesthetics. They are used for decoration and for landscaping just like flowers. These can be mixed with trees and shrubs or can stand alone.

    Plants are beautiful, but the appropriate ones in a certain design must be selected and properly situated. They must thrive and be able to serve their purpose. This is the only key to bringing nature closer to the home.

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