How to Build a Short Garden Wall With Bricks

Overview

A brick wall is an attractive and useful addition to a garden or yard. The bricks will last for decades and add a sense of permanence to the area. You can build your own wall after just a little education and with the proper tools and supplies. You can choose from several types of brick if you want a change from standard orange brick. Take the time to build your wall correctly, and you will be proud of it for years to come.

Foundation

Step 1

Set out the stakes to mark where you want your garden brick wall, knocking them into place with a hammer. Run a string around the perimeter so that you can see the area in which the dirt needs to be removed to make room for the foundation. Make sure the area is at least 10 inches wide; it can be as long as you need the wall to be.

Step 2

Prepare your foundation. Remove enough soil to pour a foundation for your brick wall. Dig down to form a hole 6 inches deep and at least 10 inches wide for a short wall that is 20 to 24 inches tall. Check to make sure the top edge is level, digging down deeper on one end if necessary.

Step 3

Calculate the square footage by multiplying the width by length by depth. Use this total to figure out how much concrete you need to mix. Get a concrete mix that is a 1:6 ratio of concrete to sand.

Step 4

Mix the concrete in the 5-gallon bucket so that it has the texture of soft butter, and fill the ditch you formed in step 1. Pour the concrete immediately before it has a chance to set up. Smooth off the top with a short plank. Allow the concrete to set up for several days to ensure that it hardens and dries thoroughly.

Bricks

Step 1

Lay down the first row of bricks without any mortar. This will help you get an idea of how the wall will look and how you want to lay out the bricks. There are many fancy ways of laying brick, but you probably want to stick with the standard staggered look for your first job. You can build a wall that is extra strong by making it two layers thick.

Step 2

Mix your mortar according to the package instructions. Don't make up more than you can use within an hour. Once the mortar gets too hard, you have to throw it out and cannot add more water to reuse it. Place a good pile on the 2-by-2 board, and use that as your working surface.

Step 3

Remove the bricks you placed in your foundation in step 1, and apply mortar to the bottom and one side of the first brick using a trowel. Prepare the next brick and set it in place the same way, allowing the excess mortar to squeeze out. Aim to keep 1/4 inch of mortar between bricks. Scrape off the excess and place it on the next brick.

Step 4

Alternate the bricks on the second layer so that no seams match up. Turn the bricks sideways on the ends to add extra strength. Continue with the rest of the layers. Clean the sides of the wall as you work, scraping off the excess mortar before it hardens.