Landscaping - retaining wall garden around house...anything I should know?

I am planning on building a retaining wall garden around my house. The house was built on cement foundation. I plan on building up the garden to be about 8 inches higher than the bottom plank of siding. What measures do I need to take when building garden so that it doesn't affect the house, or should I rethink this plan of action? Thanks.

If I'm reading this correctly, you are going to build a raised bed AGAINST the foundation of your house. If so, I'd rethink that. You say you are in the northwest so my guess is you would be inviting termites into your home, increase stress and moisture against your foundation. The soil should be 8" to 12" below your siding. I would suggest you rethink it.

Any reason you want to do that?

Newt

i did mine and set the hight abour four inches above the slab hight. i keep the level of mulch at or below the slab hight and allow one block of the wall to be exposed. the wall can be as high as you want as long as the dirt of mulch is at or below the slab.
<a href="http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b142/jgaito/?action=view&current=DSC01203.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b142/jgaito/DSC01203.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I completely agree with Newt on this one. Never build up above the slab. You will not only invite insect but also water into your home.
Flopshot, if your above the weep holes in your brick your in trouble. Its only a matter of time before your house gets flooded.

I am doing this to a duplex that I own and am trying to give the outside a little more curb appeal. I just helped my friend build a retaining wall outside his home and i liked the look of it. I thought that I might have been able to put up some barrier paper in the back of the garden, up against the house, to keep out moisture. But I didn't think of termites. If anyone has any other suggestion as to how I can improve the exterior, but not compromise the building, I would appreciate it.

Jwachter, do you have any pictures? That would be most helpful.

Newt