In this article you will learn what a gabion wall is and if a gabion wall is your best option to level out a slope in your backyard. Watch how we made a gabion wall in this backyard!
What is a Gabion Wall?
A gabion wall is a wall made of metal fencing that is bent or cut and linked together to form a rectangular prism. The fencing is then filled with rocks of varying sizes. Continue reading to see if a gabion wall is a good fit in your yard.
Why You Need a Retaining Wall
If you have a hill or a harsh slope in your backyard, you may need a retaining wall. Retaining walls in a garden can be implemented for a variety of purposes. Here are three reasons you may consider one.
Water Run-off and Erosion
If you desire to garden on a slope and you experience large amounts of rainfall, you will likely experience at least some water run-off. The excess water can build up and push topsoil down your slope, washing away beneficial substrate for your plants to grow in. A retaining wall can allow you to level off the soil above as well as function as a dam to slow water momentum.
Aesthetics
Retaining walls add dimension and can be a subtle accent in your garden. You can also grow creeping plants over and across a retaining wall to bring a more natural look to your growing space.
Traversability
If you feel uneasy walking on uneven ground, a retaining wall can help you level out a slope, acting as a step between two levels of ground. In the space we were working in, the slope made walking less peaceful and more cautious. In our gardens we seek ease of access and walkability so as not to distract from the joy and wonder the space brings.
Specific Benefits to a Gabion Wall
There are many types of retaining walls you could put into your garden. One of the most common materials used for a retaining wall are railroad ties. However, railroad ties are treated with creosote, a distilled tar-substance, that can easily leach into your soil and contaminate it.
Another retaining wall option are large rocks or boulders. If you already have access to these, they could be a great option–however if you are buying them, be prepared to pay a lot for your wall.
Our interest in the gabion wall was piqued when we were looking for a solution to a short, but steep, slope in our client’s backyard. Simultaneously, we were considering our options for how we could use the abundance of rock mulch we had collected from the pre-existing garden space.
After some research, we came across a creative solution to both our questions. A gabion wall is an excellent way to make use of materials you already have on hand with little added cost. If you already have the rocks, you simply need to purchase the necessary fencing and potentially stakes that will help hold the gabion wall in place.
For our gabion wall we used small rocks (approximately 1x1x2” stones), 2×3” fencing, 2’ rebar pieces, and black rebar caps to top the rebar stakes. After the rocks settled in place, they don’t slip through the fencing. However, we recommend using fencing with spacing that is equal to or less than the average dimension of your rocks.
Step-By-Step Gabion Wall Construction
The following outlines the three stages in the construction of your gabion wall: measurement and ground prep, construction, and implementation
Measurement and Ground Prep
First determine the height and length of your gabion wall. The height will help you calculate the width of the fencing and the length of your wall will tell you the length (duh) of the fencing you need to build the wall.
Next, begin digging out the trench where your gabion wall will rest. You will want to make this fairly level. We used an 8’ 2×4 and a level to ensure we created a generally level surface. However, fencing bends easily so the trench does not need to be perfectly level (unless you so desire).
Fence Construction
Begin by fully unrolling the fencing. Measure your needed length and cut it to that length. Next, fold the fencing in half, lengthwise, so that you create a 90 degree angle. Continue, by folding one half of the already folded fence, in half.
You should have an unfinished rectangular prism with two sides equal length and the third twice as long. (For example: If you are using 4’ wide fencing, you will have one side that is 2’ and two sides that are 1’).
Finally, place your unfinished prism into the trench. You may want some help doing this if your fence is longer than 10 feet.
Implementation
Once your fencing is in place, hammer in your stakes on the lower side of the wall. This will give your wall extra stability so that it doesn’t accidentally crumble.
Fill your fencing with rocks nearly to the top. Once you have an inch or two left to fill, partially bend the remaining part of the prism in, and then continue to fill. Doing this will make it easier to close up your wall once it is filled.
Finally, be sure to secure the unattached fencing with wire or zip-ties.
Whether your gabion wall is big, medium, or small, we hope to have given you some of the tools you need to take on this project!
