Laid my first proper soldier course on a garden wall today

I was helping my buddy Mike with a small job in his yard, a simple two-foot wall. I usually stick to running bond, but he wanted a soldier course on top. I was nervous about keeping them perfectly straight and level, but I used a tight nylon line and went slow. They all lined up on the first try, which felt great. Anyone have a good tip for spacing them without the line getting in the way of your trowel?

4 comments

4 Comments

olivia6709d ago

Yeah, totally agree with what you said about that foundation row. I helped a buddy do a retaining wall last year and we rushed the starter course because it was getting dark. Ended up having to pull half the soldier course a week later because they were walking all over the place. A tight line and some patience makes all the difference. I've started keeping a spare set of line blocks too so I can switch sides quick without losing my spacing.

sammartinez1mo ago

First try" on a soldier course, it's a garden wall not the taj mahal.

eva_moore1mo ago

Look sammartinez, I get where you're coming from, but a soldier course sets the whole tone for the wall. If those first bricks are off, the whole line can go sideways. It's worth taking the time to get it right from the start, even for a garden project. Calling it a first try feels like an excuse for sloppy work. That foundation row matters more than people think.

jordan_hill1mo ago

My dad always said to snap a chalk line for soldier courses, even on short walls. Takes two minutes and saves a ton of cussing later.