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Hi all,
I'm looking to build a brick garden bed on a slope, do you dig the slope until it's flat or do you cut the brick
I know the photos are for concrete sleepers but this is just to explain my idea.
Thanks in advance
Hi @Jewelleryrescue , thanks so much for the response. I like the idea of the footsteps as the slope I've is nearly 1 meter and it has lots of rocks, it's like an inverse triangle as per attached photo, so I need to build a garden bed as an extension to the rock retaining wall. I was thinking to use this brick https://www.bunnings.com.au/adbri-masonry-300-x-160-x-100mm-bluestone-natural-impressions-block_p304..., but I'm also open to suggestions.
Hi @ososbg
I like your choice of blocks I would use the cream color blocks to blend in with the cream in the house column's and the cement between the rock wall.
BUT
The blue stone is ok too as both colors look nateral . Gardens have no rules to your imagination.
The difference between a good garden and a great garden is the inclusion of the quirky and artistry
Please view this Adbri how too video it shows you the stepping process and wall building in general,
https://youtu.be/RtNWzBYrghENatural Impressions® Flagstone | Adbri Masonry
I really dont feel the compacting machine is nessessary on nateral virgin earth nature compacted that area for 10000 of years. Simply dig out the dirt to make steps and water the ground and place blue metal down. Saves the cost of machine hire. Plus, walking on the earth will flatten it. Only exception is if the wall area has been backfilled with loose dirt. Simply add Trench mesh into to the cement layer as a backup.
Fun fact Did you know the human footprint exerts more pressure per square inch than a bulldozer with tracks.? In fact in the older days, they used to send men across a river crossing before a bull dozer. If the man sank into the riverbed so will the bulldozer so, try another river crossing much easier. pulling the man out than a heavy machine 
From your photo I would use off white cement, and white sand for your concrete mix underneath so you can use the same cement to repair the rough rock wall butting up against your new wall.
Might i say i would take out the first half of the wooden plimth (cut it in half) under the first section of the fence and extend your new wall under the fence. Why just to give the illusion the retaining wall runs further up your property and gives a more uniform look the that side of your house,
You may need to cut your blocks to size to fit you custom area. So use an angle grinder with a Cheap diamond blade as you only have a few cuts to do. Cut the blocks all the way around 4 sides (as the diamond blade won't cut all the way and then tap the offcut it will fall off cleanly. Rest the good block half on a solid surface with a square egde on the cut line is on the overhang for the off cut to fall with a hammer tap.)
Hello @ososbg
Can you please tell us the external measurements of your proposed brick garden? I only worry that by the time you place all the masonry in, there might not be enough space for the actual garden. I also suggest having a look at this discussion - How to lay bricks for raised flower bed? by @Brunnie_Rich. It's an excellent example of how you can prepare the base of a brick raised garden. In regards to the wooden plinth, I suggest building your garden higher or at the same level if possible so that it's out of sight.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @ososbg
I suppose the easier solution is to paint the pinith brown like the fence and if you zipped in there and painted it i doubt any one will have noticed too avoid a discussion with a difficult person .
Visually on there side of the fence it will look good too.
But it is there side of the fence so if it is left untouched then thats there eye sore not yours.
So I would just do your wall and leave my original extra suggestion in the rubbish bin I dont want to create a rift between neighbours' over a splash of paint..
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