Patio and 21" retaining wall
 

I am planning a 12'x16' patio with a retaining wall along one 12' side. The
other 12' side ends at a former sidewalk that is now a pad for the ac (also
finishing off that side-as it is the last unfenced side of the yard-with a 4'
privacy fence). The yard slopes right about where I want the retaining wall,
so I figure I'll use the soil I dig up to back fill the upper yard level. My
question: since the retaining wall will be one edge of the patio, it has to go
in first, right? It's just me doing the project, so each step will take
awhile/a weekend or two (or more!). Any suggestions besides using sidewalk to
determine slope, doing the retaking wall, taking a break, then tackling the
patio excavation? Can a hand tamp since the patio is small-ish? If I do rent a
tamper and can't get the base/sand/pavers laid in one day, am I defeating the
purpose only tamping the base and not the pavers?

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