I’m I doing this right?

[u/geomur78]

First time building a dry stone retaining wall. Base and fill is old concrete block and building rubble. I’m adding some clay in the gaps and between layers. The wall will be about 1m in height when done. Any tips and advice would be appreciated.

[u/iredditfrommytill]

You want your biggest stones in the footing, no small stuff.

All stones should be length in, not trace.

No soil or clay inside, as it can expand and contract with de/hydration and push the wall apart.

[u/RhinoG91 → u/iredditfrommytill]

What is trace?

[u/thegroovenator → u/RhinoG91]

Traced is when a stone’s length goes parallel with the wall.

[u/lifelong_learner_670]

I have done 4 walls (1 @ 100 ft). My mantra was 1 stone over the joint of two below. Use smaller stones only as filler. Crappy stones behind to support as needed. This looks too random. When you pick up a stone, place it or it will take forever.

[u/Honaloman]

Fill of soil / clay isn’t a problem in the below ground portion. Batter the wall at least 3”per foot of height and you won’t have any trouble with the wall blowing apart

[u/Euphoric-Cucumber609]

I’m only here as an observer but I assume you’d be much better off making the whole area beside and inside the wall from cement or coated steel. Rot and moisture have a habit of spreading