Should You Remove Grass Before Backfilling a Retaining Wall?

You've just built a retaining wall at the front of your yard where a small hill once stood. Now you're wondering: should you strip away the existing grass before dumping new soil behind the wall, or can you just let it decompose in place?

The short answer? You can leave the grass—provided it's not directly beneath the wall itself. The critical factor is a properly compacted base. Your retaining wall should sit on a solid, well-compacted foundation of gravel or road base. That's what prevents settling and structural issues down the line.

When you backfill behind the wall, do it in 8- to 10-inch lifts, compacting each layer thoroughly. This step is essential. If you compact properly now, any minor settling from decaying grass roots later won't be noticeable. The grass will simply break down and become part of the soil profile.

One pro tip: document the process. Before-and-after photos are incredibly valuable for future reference—and they're satisfying to look back on.

Good luck with the project!