Here’s how to build a raised brick garden bed for a decorative and long-lasting addition to your landscape.
Dave Toht
Building with brick can be pleasant work, but it takes some practice before you become proficient.
This handsome wall will be strong enough for a planting bed up to 2 feet high.
Credit:Dave Toht
Anything higher requires adouble brick wall.
The completed project will be a permanent landscaping feature you could be proud of.
Choose bricks that will survive well in continually wet conditions.
Credit:Dave Toht
Common brick may not be strong enough.
Be prepared to give your material supplier the length and height of the wall you plan to build.
If the bricks have holes in them, purchase special cap bricks for the top course.
Credit:Dave Toht
Arrange to have the bricks resting on a strong pallet near the job site.
Make a story polea length of 1x2 with evenly spaced lines marking the height of each course of bricks.
Make a dry run: Lay out the bricks without mortar, spacing them evenly.
Credit:Dave Toht
If necessary, increase the spaces to avoid putting in a very small piece of brick.
Mark the locations of the first and last brick.
Set the first two bricks, one at each end, laying down a 1-inch-thick bed for each.
Credit:Dave Toht
Check for level in both directions, tapping gently with the handle of your trowel to make adjustments.
String a mason’s line to mark the level of the first course of bricks.
Hold the line in place with bricks.
Then, with the trowel faceup, set the tip of the trowel at the beginning of the line.
Furrow the mortar by gently running the trowel tip, facedown, along the center.
Bricklayers call this step throwing.
Assemble Corners
Build the leadthe beginning point for your courses.
This is six courses high, with each course half of a brick shorter than the one below it.
(Remember that a brick is half as wide as it is long.)
Level and plumb each course, and use a story pole to check for height.
Lay down mortar and add the first course.
Butter the end of each brick where it abuts another.
Add the mortar by making a swiping motion along all four edges of each face.
Fill Each Course
Duplicate the lead on the other end of the wall.
Cut bricks by first scoring a line around the brick.
Then crack the brick using a mallet and a brick set.
As you proceed, scrape off excess mortar with your trowel, taking care not to smear the bricks.
Every so often, press the mortar with your thumb.
If it feels firm and your thumb impression does not change shape, the joints can be finished.
Finish Joints
Using a pointing tool, first smooth out the vertical joints, then the horizontals.
Gently brush away excess as you work.
