Frequently Asked Questions

1. How high can I go?

Check with your local building department to see what restrictions they place on retaining walls. Generally, permits are required where there is a surcharge (or load) on the wall or on walls higher than 3 feet. We have a standard design available for Verdura 30 walls up to 8 feet total height.

2. Will the soil fall out of the pockets?

No. The blocks have a bottom in them and the soil in the block cells and between the blocks is tamped or compacted to prevent cell washout.

3. Can I color them?

Yes, with conventional concrete stains. Check with your masonry supplier.

4. How many blocks do I need?

Use the tables in the brochure or on our website.

5. How do I terrace walls?

Most cities' building by-laws have standards for retaining walls and may limit terracing, so always find out what the recommendations are before you build. That said, we recommend that you build the terrace or flat area above the wall at least 1 foot wider than the height of the wall below. e.g. if the wall is 3 feet high, the flat terrace should be 4 or more feet wide.

6. How long do they last?

Concrete should last hundreds of years.

7. Where are they made?

Riverside county, California

8. Can you abut them?

Yes, you can place blocks without spaces in between but then they are not plantable. It does not affect the strength of the wall.

9. What is the tightest concave radius?

For walls up to 3 feet high the minimum radius is 3 feet.

10. Do you need a concrete footing?

No. See brochures for embedment depths.

11. How can I build this wall against a vertical wall?

You need to use half blocks. See the brochure for instructions for cutting them.

12. Can I follow the grade?

Yes, the steepest grade we can follow is 6%.

13. What kind of plants should I use?

Consider the local growing conditions and consult your local nursery specialists. Use perennial plants or ground cover to minimize maintenance. Some plants that we can recommend are Rosemary, Rosea mini-ice plant, Vinca minor, Hands ivy, myoporum ground cover, isotoma, ivy geranium.

14. How do we irrigate?

Just like you would irrigate a slope, lay surface irrigation placed along the top or toe of the wall. Don't bury water lines behind the wall. Depending on watering requirements of the plants and the height of the wall, sprinkler, drip or mist heads can all be used. Check with a landscape irrigation specialist.

15. How do I construct subsurface drainage behind the wall?

See our standard design. French or 'burrito' style drains work well if an area has a need for drainage. Construction of the drains should be behind the footing for the wall. Line a trench with filter fabric wide enough to wrap around the drain once it is constructed, to trap sediment and fine particles from clogging the perforated pipe. Place drain rock (3/4") on top of filter fabric. Place perforated pipe connecting subsequent lengths with fittings and glue. Add more drain rock on top and fold fabric over the top and backfill soil on top. When planning the drain, make sure that the drain has an outlet. Talk to a drainage specialist if you are unsure of what to do.

16. How do I build corners?

For an outside 90 degree corner see the brochure or the notes under the do-it yourself section of this website. For an inside 90 degree corner, cut a portion of the lip of some of the blocks using a circular saw with a masonry blade. See diagram below. Alternate right cut and left cut blocks with following courses.