How to Build a Plantable Entry Monument

Enhance your home with a dramatic plantable entry monument in just a weekend using the AB Courtyard Collection. This project demonstrates how to build on sloped ground by first creating a level foundation pad. Poor soil conditions under the foundation pad may require additional attention. See How-to Sheet #120 Building Wall Panels and How-to Sheet #220 Building Posts for instructions on building the base.

Download (.pdf)
How-To Sheet #370
Plantable Entry Monument

Step 1: Layout

Determine the location for the planter Use the patterns in Layout 1A and 1B to lay out the first course of blocks to determine where the sod and soil will be removed to construct the base.

Step 2: Build the Foundation Pad

Mark the location of the walls and posts/pillars with a shovel. Remove the blocks and sod. For the post/pillar locations dig a level pad 24 in. (600 mm) square, 4 in. (100 mm) deep. For the panels, dig a trench 3 in. (75 mm) deep and 7 in. wide (178 mm). Fill the trench with base rock and compact using a hand tamper.

Step 3: Level Base Rock in Trench

Level the base rock in the trench making sure the transition between the post/pillar and wall foundations are at the same height and level with each other. Make any adjustments as needed by adding or removing base rock.

Foundation Pad

Wall Panel Foundation

Video: How to Build a Entry Monument with Planter

Layout Location with Blocks

*NOTE: The soil beneath the foundation pad must be a good quality compactable material. If soft soils are encountered, they will need to be removed and replaced with additional base rock. A good foundation will ensure a stable post/pillar for years to come.

Base Rock: Using the proper materials to create the base foundation for the panels is important when building on soil. We recommend using a compactible base rock material that is gravel in varying sizes of angular or smooth aggregates similar to the wall rock used in retaining walls or a road/ paver base type material.

Road/Paver Base

Wall Rock

Mark the Location

Remove blocks and sod, dig trench

Step 4: Install Corner Blocks for First Post

Begin at the first post/pillar location and place 4 Corner Blocks with the long sides facing out. Align the blocks with a square, and check for level. Using a dead blow hammer, make adjustments as necessary.

Post Layout Patterns

Level base rock and adjust trench

Install corner blocks

Step 5: Install Blocks to Build Wall Panel

Once the first course of the first post/pillar is in place, continue by building the back wall using the pattern in Layout 1A. Be sure to center the wall panel on the post/pillar to keep a uniform look. Check for level from front to back and side to side as you place each block. Make adjustments as necessary. You will also want to make sure that the blocks are level from one block to the next. This will ensure that the block line up properly.

Finish the back wall by placing the four corner blocks for the first course of the second post/pillar. Once completed, check for level and alignment. It is also a good time to verify that the first and second post/pillar are aligned so that your entry monument is straight.

First Course Layout 1A

Install wall panel blocks

Install front plantable wall

Step 6: Build Front Plantable Wall

With the back wall complete, continue the first course by building the front curved wall for the planter (Layout 1B). Place the blocks tightly together on the level and compacted trench starting at the center of the post/pillar. Adjust as necessary so that the blocks match up with the center of the second post/pillar. In this example we built this project on sod, if you are doing the same, you will need to remove the sod from the inside of the planted area once you complete the first course of the project.

First Course Layout 1B

Remove soil and replace
with plantable soil

Install 2nd course of back wall

Step 7: Install Second Course Back Wall

Start the second course at the post/pillar and stack the blocks as shown in Layout 2. You will need to split an AB York block on this course. Use one half of this split block at each end of the wall where it meets the posts/pillars. For more information see our tech sheet on cutting or splitting block.

Step 8: Continue with Additional Courses

Install the blocks for the third course as shown in Layout 3. Then continue stacking courses alternating between Layout 2 and 3 until you have reached the desired height. In this example we have a total of 5 courses for the back wall with an additional course of corner blocks (Layout 4) to finish off the posts/pillars. If in your project you would like to interlock the posts/pillars and wall panels together for added stability, see our tech sheet on interlocking walls and posts/pillars.

Second Course Layout

Install block to finished height

Install post caps

Step 9: Continue with Additional Courses

Finish the posts/pillars with Post Caps. Apply a bead of masonry adhesive near the outer edge of each Corner block and place the caps on top of the post/pillar. Finish the walls withWall Caps. There will be a small gap in the wall. Measure the gap, mark this measurement on the cap. Then cut or split the cap to fit. Two Wall Caps will need to be split to complete the back wall. For more information see our tech sheet on cutting or splitting block.

Once all the caps are installed, secure them in place with a bead of masonry adhesive on both sides of the raised rings. Then add any additional soil you may need to fill the planter area. If you would like to add lighting to your project, see our tech sheet on how to construct a light post. Now that your project is complete, fill the planter with beautiful plants and flowers to fit the style of your landscape.

Entry Planter

Third Course Layout

Install wall caps

Mark and cut last wall cap

Secure wall caps with adhesive

Materials Needed:

• 28 AB York Blocks
• 8 AB Dublin Blocks
• 48 Corner Blocks
• 21 Wall Caps
• 4 Post Caps
• 2 Tubes of Masonry Adhesive
• 12 - 50 lb (23 kg) Bags of Base Rock*
• Plantable Soil as Required

These are the exact numbers based on our installation. We would recommend purchasing additional block to accommodate for design changes, shipping or breakage.

Tools Needed:

• Shovel
• Level
• Dead Blow Hammer
• Hammer & Chisel
• Masonry Saw
• Measuring Tape
• Square
• Work Gloves
• Dust Mask
• Safety Glasses

Approximate Dimensions

9 ft. W x 6 ft. D
(2.7 m W x 1.8 m D )

* Quantities will vary depending on the required depth of rock.

How to Build Entry Monument

Enhance your home in just a weekend with a dramatic entry monument that can be installed directly on patios or pavement as well as on an unfinished surface such as sod and soil. This project demonstrates how to build on an unfinished surface by creating a foundation pad. See How-to Sheet #120 Building Wall Panels and How-to Sheet #220 Building Posts for instructions on building the base.

Poor soil conditions under the foundation pad may require additional attention. See adding stability to posts/pillars for more foundation information.

Download (.pdf)
How-To Sheet #300
Entry Monument

Step 1: Layout the First Course

Begin by laying out the entire first course of blocks, as a guide for where the sod and soil will be removed to construct the base. To do this you will need to split an AB York center-split block and place one half on each end of the wall panel. See splitting blocks for additional instructions. Then use a shovel to cut around the blocks to mark the layout.

Layout 1: First Course Pattern

Video: How to Build an Entry Monument

Mark the Location

Step 2: Remove Sod and Soil

Set aside the first course of blocks. Remove the sod and soil in the area marked. For the post/pillar locations dig a hole 24 in. (600 mm) square, by 4 in. (100 mm) deep (Figure 1).

For the wall between the posts/pillars, dig a trench 3 in. (75 mm) deep to match the width and location of the blocks (Figure 2).

Step 3: Prepare Foundation Pad

Next, prepare the foundation pad. Place 4 in. (100 mm) of base rock for the post/pillar locations and 3 in. (75 mm) in the trench between the posts/pillars. Thoroughly compact with a hand tamper. Level the pad in all directions, making sure the transition between the post/pillar and wall foundations are at the same height and level with each other.

Figure 1: Post/Pillar Base

Figure 2: Panel Base

Remove Sod and Soil

Prepare Foundation Pad

*NOTE: The soil beneath the foundation pad must be a good quality compactable material. If soft soils are encountered, they will need to be removed and replaced with

Base Rock: Using the proper materials to create the base foundation for the panels is important when building on soil. We recommend using a compactible base rock material that is gravel in varying sizes of angular or smooth aggregates similar to the wall rock used in retaining walls or a road/ paver base type material.

Road/Paver Base

Wall Rock

Level the First Post

Level the First Course

Step 4: Build the First Post/Pillar

The first post/pillar is the tallest of the two posts/pillars to be constructed. Begin the base course by placing 4 Corner Blocks with the long sides facing out. Align the blocks with a square, and level with a dead blow hammer.

Step 5: Complete the First Post/Pillar

Place the second course of Corner Blocks on the post/pillar by alternating the pattern to offset the vertical seams. Continue stacking a total of six courses, alternating the pattern on each course.

Step 6: Build the Wall

Now we are ready to build the wall. For the base course, split an AB York center-split block and place the split side against the post/pillar, as shown in Layout 1. Install the six AB York blocks needed to build the base course. Use the other half of the AB York center-split block to finish the base course by placing the split side against the next post/pillar. On the second course, no splitting will be needed, just place seven AB York blocks (Figure 2).

Note: Building two courses at a time will ensure proper alignment.

Level the Second Post

Continue Building Courses

Step 7: Building the Second Post/Pillar

The second post/pillar will be shorter than the first post/pillar. Build the second post/pillar at the end of the curved wall. Again, place 4 Corner Blocks with the long sides facing out, making sure they are tight against the split block of the wall base course. Align the blocks with a square, and level with a dead blow hammer. Continue stacking a total of four courses, alternating the pattern on each course.

Step 8: The Step Down

The step down will be accomplished over two courses. Begin to step down the wall on the third course. The third and fourth courses will only touch the taller post/pillar. Split an AB York center-split block and place the split side against the first post/pillar. Then place 4 AB York blocks to complete this course. For the top course, place 2 AB York blocks against the first post/pillar to complete this course. This will give you a gradual step down effect to the second post/pillar.

Layout 2: Second Course Pattern

Finish Posts with Post Caps

Step 9: Finishing Post/Pillar

Finish the posts/pillars with Post Caps. Apply a bead of masonry adhesive near the outer edge of each Corner Block and place the caps on top of the post/pillar.

Step 10: Finishing the Wall

Finish the wall with Wall Caps. Where the wall steps down stack two caps on top of each other for a more gradual look. There will be some small gaps between the caps that can be filled by cutting caps to fit. When cutting caps to fit, first score the top using a saw with a masonry blade. Place the split caps on the wall with the split side facing in and the finished side facing out against the post/pillar. Click on splitting caps for additional information.

Step 11: Apply Adhesive to Caps

Apply a bead of adhesive along the front and back edges of the blocks and under the additional step-down caps.

Finish the Wall with Wall Caps

Secure the Caps with Adhesive

Tools Needed

• Dead Blow Hammer
• Measuring Tape
• Skill Saw w/ Masonry Blade
• Hand Compactor
• Hammer & Chisel
• Square
• Level
• Safety Glasses
• Work Gloves

Materials Needed

• 40 Corner Blocks
• 21 AB York Blocks
• 10 Wall Caps
• 4 Post Caps
• 2 Tubes of Masonry Adhesive
• 8 - 50 lb (23 kg) Bags of base rock

These are the exact numbers based on our installation. We would recommend purchasing additional block to accommodate for design changes, shipping or breakage.