Need landscape suggestions - rock edging slope near split rail fence

[Brian]

Our backyard slopes downwards towards an open space area. We have a retaining wall, with say approx 4' of flat river rock adjacent to the split rail fence that is the border of our lot. The slope continues slightly past the border of our property.

The problem I have... when we originally landscaped the backyard, we used simple metal edging running along the border of the fence, which kept the rock inside our property, and the other side of the fence is semi-wild weeds, grasses, etc. Over time, the metal edging has bowed outwards under the fence and now is starting to spill into the open space area. We need to fix or redo it this year.

I could just pull the rock back, put in better wooden stakes or metal pins to hold it for now. That's option 1. A landscape guy I knew suggested putting in a bunch of landscape timbers - he estimated $600 though. Any thoughts or suggestions? You can't see from the picture, but the metal edging is almost totally exposed on the far side of the fence, meaning that the "drop off" there is several inches at least. At one point, I had thought about putting some of those "retaining wall" blocks to build up a mini wall on the far side there, but I'm not sure our HOA would go for that. If anything, we may own a few inches past the fence line - I haven't checked.

Thought some of you may have an idea or two. One related thought - I'm planning on sinking in a raspberry bed (see pic #2) between two of the posts - the bed will still stay 90% on our property but should sit well under the fence I hope. We're also planning on putting in a small gate, given how often our extended family walks the back pathways to our house.


http://i.imgur.com/Ucb7lNm.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/hS1WcSU.jpg?1

[newracer]

Pull rocks back, straighten metal edging, use lots of pins and spikes, put big rocks along backside of edging.

[funkymonkey1111]

if the edging is staked it would have alot more lateral strength

[Wulf202]

You can see in pic two it heas edging stakes.

Since the hoa is involved id say repair the existing or risk them getting pissy. Some short rebar or concrete form steaks to keep the shape and you'll be good for another 10 years. Which is what the timbers will last anyways.

[sniper7]

Pull the rock back, reshape the edging and stake it in there quite a bit more. All the weight of the rock has bent it out. Some more support at shorter intervals will fix that really easy

[sako55]

Pull the rock back and replace the edging you have with 14 gauge 6 inch wide rolled top edge with lots of the stakes. Perhaps some 2ft long sections of rebar pounded in between the longer spans to support it better.

Normal edging most people use is 16 gauge and 4 inches wide. Kind of flimsy for your application.

[SideShow Bob]

You can see in pic two it heas edging stakes.

Since the hoa is involved id say repair the existing or risk them getting pissy. Some short rebar or concrete form steaks to keep the shape and you'll be good for another 10 years. Which is what the timbers will last anyways.

Steak : a slice of meat cut from a fleshy part of a beef carcass.

Stake : a pointed piece of wood or other material driven or to be driven into the ground as a marker or support :

[CapLock]

What would look best would be to pull the rock back and remove the metal edging. Replace the edging with the same type of rock that you already have in your backyard for retaining proposes. I concrete mine in and it should last 100 years give or take. Since you already have this rock I don't see why they would have a problem with it. Cost wouldn't be much more than wood. PM me if interested.

[Wulf202]

Steak : a slice of meat cut from a fleshy part of a beef carcass.

Stake : a pointed piece of wood or other material driven or to be driven into the ground as a marker or support :
droids auto correct

[Brian]

Thanks all for your advice. If the weather improves, it's going to be a busy weekend...

[Brian]

What would look best would be to pull the rock back and remove the metal edging. Replace the edging with the same type of rock that you already have in your backyard for retaining proposes. I concrete mine in and it should last 100 years give or take. Since you already have this rock I don't see why they would have a problem with it. Cost wouldn't be much more than wood. PM me if interested.

Yeah we're actually going to have to repair/replace our retaining wall too. :( The large granite rocks looked alright when it was built around 7ish years ago, but between the critters digging in it (had a couple bad years with voles) and water erosion, it is falling apart in many locations, and my weak efforts to spot repair it haven't worked well. I'm probably going to be looking for quotes to rebuild it properly, but with some sort of cement this time. I'm sure that'll be cheap too. :S Best case scenario, maybe I could figure out how to both at the same time.