Q. I want to build a retaining wall that’s going to look great for years. At my last house, I had a short retaining wall around a patio that started to lean out toward the lawn. The little wall was ...

When these systems are properly designed, built and maintained, they often last many decades.

This is the last of three stories on terracing hillsides. To read the first two stories, "Slippery slopes" and "Know your hillside," go to sfgate.com and type in Deborah K. Rich. "Almost all ...

Humans have been building retaining walls for thousands of years to create flat, or gently sloping, terraces on hillsides. A lot of my readers have them on their own property — or need to build one — ...

Retaining walls don't have to be an eyesore! Give your yard an upgrade with these cascading plants that will give you a waterfall of blooms over any retaining wall.

Dear James: I’m planning a veggie garden on my sloping lot so I need a retaining wall. I have used timbers before, but blocks might hold up better. Which method do you prefer? -- Steve W. Dear Steve: ...

Q: I want to build a retaining wall that’s going to look great for years. At my last house, a short retaining wall I had around a patio started to lean out toward the lawn. The wall was but 10 inches ...

Retaining walls are a common part of modern infrastructure, used to hold back soil where land must be leveled for roads, buildings, or other construction. Although they may appear simple from the ...

Hardscaping ideas like fire pits, walkways, and outdoor kitchens are transforming backyards into year-round living spaces for ...