---
title: Back 40 Landscaping Blog | Tips and Insights for Your Outdoor Space (2)
description: Discover expert tips, ideas, and landscaping insights on the Back 40 Landscaping blog. Get inspired to enhance your outdoor space in Abbotsford, BC! (2)
image: https://back40landscaping.ca/hubfs/Foundation%20Images/2000px/Patio%20with%20curved%20retaining%20wall%20and%20tiered%20stone%20steps%20by%20Back%2040%20Landscaping%20in%20Abbotsford%2c%20BC.jpg
---

# Landscaping + Retaining Wall Resources

#### Your Guide to Beautiful, Durable, and Functional Outdoor Spaces

[![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1-IQM362-dry-dustless-brick-sawgeneral-use-840x675-1-1.webp?width=365&name=1-IQM362-dry-dustless-brick-sawgeneral-use-840x675-1-1.webp) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/cutting-the-retaining-wall-caps)

## [Cutting the Retaining Wall Caps](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/cutting-the-retaining-wall-caps)

 Oct. 21, 2024 | [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads), [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls)

Every retaining wall will have some caps that need cutting. At a minimum caps will need to be cut to length, and frequently you need to customize blocks or caps to make them fit tightly (especially when building stairs out of Allan Block).

[Read More double_arrow 

](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/cutting-the-retaining-wall-caps)

[![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/20221017_112840-scaled.jpg?width=365&name=20221017_112840-scaled.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/compacting-the-retaining-wall)

## [Compacting the Retaining Wall](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/compacting-the-retaining-wall)

 Oct. 18, 2024 | [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads), [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls)

All gravel used under or behind a retaining wall needs to be compacted to prevent future settling, and to strengthen the wall by locking the block and gravel together.

[Read More double_arrow 

](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/compacting-the-retaining-wall)

[![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2-20230707_102656-scaled.jpg?width=365&name=2-20230707_102656-scaled.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/stacking-the-retaining-wall-block-and-backfilling-the-wall)

## [Stacking the Retaining Wall Block and Backfilling The Wall](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/stacking-the-retaining-wall-block-and-backfilling-the-wall)

 Oct. 17, 2024 | [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads), [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls)

After the retaining walls base is in, the wall blocks start getting stacked on top of one another. This is the fun part of a retaining wall build!

[Read More double_arrow 

](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/stacking-the-retaining-wall-block-and-backfilling-the-wall)

[![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/3-Allan-Block-gravel-subbase-3_4-clear-gravelgeneral-use-840x675-1.webp?width=365&name=3-Allan-Block-gravel-subbase-3_4-clear-gravelgeneral-use-840x675-1.webp) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-base)

## [Allan Block Retaining Wall Base](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-base)

 Oct. 16, 2024 | [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads), [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls)

Building a strong, long-lasting retaining wall starts from the ground up—literally! Learn how a well-prepared base sets the foundation for durability and success.

[Read More double_arrow 

](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-base)

[![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/4-20230323_125508-scaled.jpg?width=365&name=4-20230323_125508-scaled.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-drainage)

## [Allan Block Retaining Wall Drainage](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-drainage)

 Oct. 15, 2024 | [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads), [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls)

Retaining wall drainage is a system, or multiple systems, designed to remove water away from behind a retaining wall.

[Read More double_arrow 

](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-drainage)

[![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/7-20220831_160657-scaled.jpg?width=365&name=7-20220831_160657-scaled.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/retaining-wall-excavation-and-soil-disposal)

## [Retaining Wall Excavation and Soil Disposal](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/retaining-wall-excavation-and-soil-disposal)

 Oct. 10, 2024 | [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads), [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls)

Excavation for a retaining wall is the process of removing soil to make way for the gravel and retaining wall blocks.

[Read More double_arrow 

](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/retaining-wall-excavation-and-soil-disposal)

[![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1-20221017_171719-copy-scaled.jpg?width=365&name=1-20221017_171719-copy-scaled.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/retaining-wall-engineering-and-permits)

## [Retaining Wall Engineering and Permits](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/retaining-wall-engineering-and-permits)

 Oct. 10, 2024 | [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads), [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls)

Understanding when retaining wall engineering and permits are required can be a little confusing. Keeping this in mind I’ll do my best to explain the differences, and the factors involved.

[Read More double_arrow 

](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/retaining-wall-engineering-and-permits)

[![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/7-20240413_145150.jpg?width=365&name=7-20240413_145150.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-caps)

## [Allan Block Retaining Wall Caps](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-caps)

 Oct. 09, 2024 | [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads), [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls)

There are many Allan Block retaining wall cap options, each with their strengths and weaknesses. First, I’ll give you an overview, then application specific strengths an weaknesses.

[Read More double_arrow 

](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-caps)

[![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/3-20240325_113731-1-scaled.jpg?width=365&name=3-20240325_113731-1-scaled.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-colors)

## [Allan Block Retaining Wall Colors](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-colors)

 Oct. 08, 2024 | [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads), [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls)

Allan Blocks come in 4 main colors, and from that typically we mix and match to create a few more options.

[Read More double_arrow 

](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/allan-block-retaining-wall-colors)

[![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/520240325_114015-scaled.jpg?width=365&name=520240325_114015-scaled.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/retaining-wall-layouts)

## [Retaining Wall Layouts](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/retaining-wall-layouts)

 Oct. 07, 2024 | [Quick Reads](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/quick-reads), [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls)

Choosing between curved and straight retaining walls? Discover the benefits, challenges, and design tips to ensure your wall is both strong and stunning!

[Read More double_arrow 

](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/retaining-wall-layouts)

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