How do I fix this retaining wall?

[Emz23]

I am trying to create a line of plants along the side of my house but the soil keeps slipping down under the house because the boards that are supposed to be keeping the soil where it is were not set up correctly in the first place. Its not really a retaining wall, just a poor diy set up I think.There is also an old weed mesh that is degrading and making everything so much harder. The soil has basically completely been removed from above the mesh over the years due to erosion under the boards. It is just mesh and stones.

I don't know where to start in fixing this.

Do I remove the timber and replace with a proper retaining wall, reinforce the boards or is there something else?There is only a very thin layer of soil between the stones and meshSigns of erosion

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Emz23. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about retaining soil.

The easiest option would likely be to install a secondary board behind the sleeper to close the gap. Set the board on the ground and either screw through it into the sleepers or hammer in timber pegs to keep it in position. It would be best to try to flatten the ground behind the sleeper so your new board sits flush on it.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[Dave-1 · Accepted solution]

Afternoon @Emz23 

Welcome to the Bunnings Community There is a lot of information about garden beds and retaining walls in here! Tho Disappearing garden beds would be a pain....

To answer your question, I would remove the timber backing (keep it) I would also remove all those rocks for now as well (Keep them)

Then I would level the garden bed area and espically the part where the boards sit. I would even dig that a little deeper so the timber sits down into the ground and wont allow water to flow under it so easily. Put the front board in for the width of your garden bed and then fill with fresh soil or a bunch of compost with the old soil you have dug up.

You could use weedmat but I am still undecided if they are really worth it. The small rocks you could put back in over a layer or two of cardboard or weedmat. after you plant out the planst your want.

This way you get to keep the airflow, reuse what you have and only need some fresh soil/composted soil for the garden

Dave