Greg thinks I should add a third layer of rock to make the retaining wall look more substantial.
That makes things a little tricky, since the soil level should rise to meet the top of the wall. You want the soil to meet the house at least four, but ideally six inches, from where the wood starts so you don't get termites. So I'd have to create a slope and grade the soil back toward the house. It's not impossible but it might look funny.
What say you? Add another level?
Leave it be?
I can't decide.
When everything grows up and spills over another layer would make it look more like a retaining wall as opposed to bed edging. Depends on the look you're after. Being the sloth that I am, I'd leave it as it is because it's lovely and you wouldn't have to sweat the grading/termite worry, etc.
ReplyDeleteThank you--this is exactly what I want to hear. :)
ReplyDeleteI think the termite threat will freak him out enough to submit to your plan. Besides, it looks great.
ReplyDeleteThank you, ma'am! Y'all are making my day.
ReplyDeleteLeave it! Another level will be a headache and will not be worth the expense or back strain.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, I also think it looks great as you have it. If you really want to experiment with another level, perhaps you could berm the soil up a bit away from the house. If the narrowness of the bed makes that difficult, you could make yourself crazier still and pull the bed out further into the lawn, maybe graduating the level of the rock from the current level at the sides and higher in the middle. Me, I'd leave it as it is.
ReplyDeleteI concur with the rest of the crowd. Leave it be. It's not a huge bed and it looks very romantic and perfectly cottage as is. Cheers, Jenni
ReplyDeleteDo I dare go against the crowd? I'd raise it one more level to make it more like a little wall and less like fancy edging.
ReplyDeleteBut I would not worry about raising the soil up to the stone height --- just leave it as is. The plants in there look like they will rise enough for their leaves to spill over the edge of the wall and soften it.
But... I'm not sure. Can you get just a few more rocks and try a 3 foot section to see how the height looks? At your volume buying pattern, the rock store should give you enough for a trial run, a rock demo so to speak : )
I'd definitely leave the soil levels alone though, for less work and for fewer termites and for an enclosed look rather than an edged look.
Oh shoot, you know I always listen to you! That's an excellent idea--thank you!
ReplyDeleteI say, don't add any more. Your point about termites is a good one, and you don't want to slope toward the house, because you want water to run away from the house not toward it. So, I say - you're done! It looks great!
ReplyDelete