Garden retaining walls should, it seems, be made out of stone. By its very nature, stone is at ease in the garden; stone walls have a strength and soft irregularity that embrace and guide a garden ...

Q. While peeping at the colorful autumn leaves in New England, I saw more than one rock wall. I was so impressed with them and wonder if rock retaining walls really hold up over time. What are some of ...

POP Projects is a collection of new and classic projects from more than a century of Popular Mechanics. Master skills, get tool recommendations, and, most importantly, build something of your very own ...

Reducing soil erosion, turning steep slopes into terraced backdrops, creating focal points in the landscape—retaining walls serve many purposes. Indeed, they are some of the most common ways to ...

My grandfather was a baker in Cincinnati in the very early 1900s. He and my grandmother owned and operated a neighborhood bakery in the Clifton Heights neighborhood just 400 feet from where I was born ...

Question: Tim, I read a column on your website about rock retaining walls. I’m having a hard time believing you can build a lasting wall and not use mortar between the stones. I’d love to just build a ...

Want to build a retaining wall? Here are some things you need to know: 1. Before starting construction, check with local building codes for height and setback restrictions and engineering requirements ...

Q: I read a column on your website about rock retaining walls. I'm having a hard time believing you can build a lasting wall and not use mortar between the stones. What's the secret? A: Why the ...

Q: My beautiful stone retaining wall has sprung leaks during these recent rainstorms. How can I fix the problem? Rockville, Md. A: Your wall is probably just fine. If it were a leakproof dam without ...