3 ft garden wall

swarring

I would like to build a 3 ft high garden wall around my patio. I've been told that if mortared it must reach below the frostline (42"). It seems a bit absurd to build a wall lower than high. Any experienced/expert/aged opinions on this?

thanks in advance

concretemasonry

Use a segmental retaining wall. Segmental retaining walls use special spaper interlocking block (colored & split are optional) that do not require or permit a concrete frost footing. It is only necessary thet the first or second layer of block be below ground. No mortar or reinforcing steel is used.

Google for Allan Block, Anchor Wall Systems, Keystone and Versalok for information and ideas. All of these products are available from local suppliers in the U.S. and from many international concrete producers.

swarring

thanks for your reply. I should have mentioned first:
this is a free-standing wall. Retains nothing. Also, it will be constructed of brick or split rock around a core of cinder-block. I prefer not to use concrete block/retaining wall material.

thanks again