Dig Trench and Level First Base

What happens in this clip

Start at the lowest point of the slope. Dig a trench along the marked line, ensuring it's wide and deep enough to accommodate the first course of landscape timbers and a layer of paver base. Once the trench is dug, pour a layer of paver base into the trench and spread it evenly. Use a long level to ensure the paver base is perfectly level from side to side and along its length. Make minor adjustments by pulling material with a shovel or adding more paver base as needed. This first level needs to be perfectly flat and level as it will serve as the reference for all subsequent layers.

Goal: Establish a perfectly level base for the lowest course of timbers.

What's used

Tools

• Long Level
• Shovel CRAFTSMAN
• Pickaxe (for hard soil)

Materials

• Paver Base
• Sand

About the full video

This DIY project details how to transform a challenging sloped area in a yard into a series of functional and aesthetically pleasing terraced garden beds. It addresses common issues like wasted space and poor drainage by incorporating a sub-surface drainage system using perforated pipes and gravel. The project involves site preparation, precise leveling of pressure-treated landscape timbers, securing the structure, installing drainage, and finally filling the beds with soil and planting. It's designed to make sloped areas more practical and beautiful for gardening.

Step 2 of 8: Excavate for First Step

Excavate the area marked for the first step. The depth should be sufficient to accommodate the timber depth plus a few inches for drainage and compaction. Create a level base for the timber to rest on. Dig a trench where the retaining timbers will be placed, ensuring they will be flush with or slightly below the final desired step height.

Open this step in the guide

Other videos for this step

• Excavate and Prepare Foundation Trench
• Excavate Terraces