Retaining Walls

Retaining walls seem like they should be maintenance-free. But they aren't. This summer I have realigned pavers along the top, long wall. This involves plying out pavers that may feel cemented in place, digging out the shifting soil, putting the paver back, and working on what caused the shift. Grass moving, planting or repairs are often involved. It is like our spiritual lives. We can't just 'get saved' and coast.

This short wall was this high when we moved here, but when pavers father down the wall were stolen, we removed the top layer to replace those farther down. The earth had sunk making this possible. The wall has been raised back to its original height, and so has the soil. When we're struggling in one area, if we just shift things instead of getting to the root issue, things will not magically improve.

To help the long wall stay as it is, I'm adding more plants in a few places. Sometimes we want life to 'get back to how it was', but will that really do what needs doing? Maybe we need to go beyond just getting back, and move forward with stronger supports this time.

This newly raised zone now has a small, mulched garden with a decorative grass edge, a shrub, and a couple small perennials. For now I'm keeping grass here, but I'd like to put something else later. We may not need to go all guns a' blazing, but we should pay attention if what we've shored up starts to fall short.

This is the side opposite and it is all mulched with plants. This side never did sink. I put plants in and keep a close eye on it.

The long edge of the wall and the newly raised short side. I'm in the process of cleaning out the drain under the driveway and redirecting the water flow to protect my wall. I have never looked in that drain, but it is seen daily. Somehow I never thought to inspect it....funny how much soil has piled up inside.

 

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test? 2 Cor 13:5