Retaining Wall Landscaping Help Needed!

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

We are building a house. There is a staggered retaining wall in the backyard. It ranges from about 1 foot high to about 5 foot high. We own the property beyond the retaining wall, which is a berm about 12-15 feet wide. I have to keep the retaining wall. The builders require that we put a fence on the property line, which is at the top of the berm. I want to remove the fence the builder has placed along the retaining wall, but I have an active dog that would not hesitate to jump off the retaining wall. I don't worry about him jumping from 2 to 3 feet, but of course the higher it gets, the more dangerous it is for him. I am looking for help on how to address this issue while keeping a clean line for the eye. We want to give the appearance of the deepest yard possible. We are planning to put landscaping with grasses and bushes in the area beyond the retaining wall.

The distance from the back of the house to the retaining wall is about 30 feet. Beyond that, our property line extends another 12-15 feet. We plan to put a stone patio about 20 feet square off of our sliding glass door.

It will look strange to have the fence only halfway along the retaining wall, but I want to restrict access for my dog (as well as for eventual grandchildren). Anyway, I'd appreciate ideas and advice!

The first two photos show the backyard and how the retaining wall is in relation to the house. The corner you see is the corner of the kitchen exit to the backyard. The last photo shows the view from inside the kitchen looking toward the retaining wall and backyard.

The red line is the property line.

Here is a view of the berm, showing the fence and retaining wall, looking toward my neighbor's house. Our house foundation had not been poured at this point.

The view looking out the kitchen sliding glass door/bay window. Right at the top of the black fence is the top of the berm which is the end of our property line and where I want to put a similar black wrought iron fence, removing the fence at the retaining wall.

Thanks in advance for all of your help and advice!!!

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PRO

Virgil Carter Fine Art

8 years ago

Well...if you are going to have grandchildren in your back yard, the higher part of the existing retaining wall is a safety problem--no question. Something is needed to ensure their safefy if playing on top of the retaining wall.

For your dog, however, I doubt that very many breeds are going to jump off a wall whose height is more than the dog can physically accommodate. Dogs (most breeds) are intelligent enough that this is an unlikely problem. The dog will simply run along the wall to a portion where the retaining wall is low enough to confidently negotiate.

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Comments (8)

ptreckel
8 years ago
I think that by planting shrubs, trees, etc. in front of and on top of the berm/retaining wall you will be able to accomplish your goals. Thoughtful landscaping might be the answer to your dilemma. I would contact a licensed landscape designer for a consultation on how to deal with these issues. Not just your builder or contractor. Good luck!
Shari Peterson thanked ptreckel
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Suru
8 years ago
In my previous house, I had a retaining wall and berm very similar to what you have. However, my berm was a lot steeper. What I did was build a deck up there and surrounded it with trees and plantings. I had a solid fence between my back neighbor and I and had a lot of privacy. I actually bolted the post bases for the deck to the top of the retaining wall. The posts were only about a foot high. I had a guardrail across the front for safety and stairs on the side leading up. My DH called it my "perch."
Shari Peterson thanked Suru
strategery
8 years ago
You need an experienced landscaper with design capability. Get off GW and get to work.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Terrace it with another level. That will reduce the height more gradually. You need a landscape genius who works with a good engineer.
PRO
Revolutionary Gardens
8 years ago
I would start by asking the builder why they have a wall that tall without a guardrail on it, like code requires.
Saypoint zone 6 CT
8 years ago
All of your photos cut off the tallest, right side of the wall.
PRO
Yardvaark
8 years ago
Except for the dog issue, I'm confused about what you're trying to do with fences. If you must fence the property line, which it as top of berm, I presume you would eliminate fence close to retaining wall (so as not to have a strip of land sequestered in between two fences.) It would be vastly easier to understand if you'd take a site plan (I'm sure you have one since the house is currently being built) and mark out your intentions, and submit a photo. Hopefully it will explain what/how you mean about running a fence "half way."

In regards to the issue about the dog or children jumping off the retaining wall. I can't really believe either wouldn't be able to learn their capabilities almost instantly. The wall doesn't look high enough to be a real danger and won't there be unpaved areas at its lower side? Doesn't seem like a problem. When I was a child we would think this wall a nice toy. Plantings could easily limit access.
Shari Peterson thanked Yardvaark