I want to build a three-foot-high retaining wall behind my house out of pressure-treated wood. Thoughts?—Shawn B., Sioux City, Iowa Go ahead, but do your homework. First, call 811 before you dig. The ...

This emergency project covers the rapid planning and construction of a massive retaining wall under serious time pressure.

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: ...

Last week I wrote about my recent trip to Southern California. I was fortunate to spend time with a dear friend and his wife. I don’t know that I’ve ever met a person who’s more in love with a home ...

My daughters grew up playing a video game called Tetris, and we recently used the skills they learned from that game to build a wall. The Wikipedia definition of the game is this: “In Tetris, players ...

Your garden wants bones as much as blossoms. Edges that hold their line when the winter rain turns paths to porridge, and a place for birds and beetles to tuck in. A dry‑stone wall built from natural ...