Lime rendering over blockwork in a garden

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Hello,
I need to render some blockwork retaining walls in my garden. There are some drainage points in the wall, but it does get damp in winter and I can't tell whether it's coming from behind or it's just been rained on, which is why I want to use Lime render. The blocks are standard 7N laid flat.

Here's my rough plan:
Put 1/2 inch stop beading parallel with the bottom of the wall, a few inches above ground level.
Mix 1 part lime to 2.5 parts sand in a concrete mixer, adding water later on; not exactly sure as to the type of lime or sand?
Start with two one foot wide vertical strips about 5" apart and 10mm thick.
Fill in the gap, and level it to the vertical strips, repeating until wall covered.
FIx beading to external corners, check internal corners with a right-angled piece of wood
Key surface with a diamond pattern 1" between marks
Wait four days or so,
Apply thin final coat, then finish off with a sponge
Allow to go off for another couple of days.
When dry, paint with a lime wash.

I was just going to stop bead around the seep holes, 3" rectangles in shape/

How does this sound?
Thanks
James
 
I would use Natural Hydraulic Lime 5, mixing with possibly sharp sand, maybe grit sand. The mixture will need to rest for maybe 20 minutes before being re-mixed. You may need a harling trowell to provide a key on the wall, then Base coat, scratch and then Final coat. I've plastered on a few projects but I'm not a professional, so I can't comment on the rest. Probably your best bet is to seek specialist advice. Try these guys, they also have a few videos on youtube:

https://www.mikewye.co.uk/product/natural-hydraulic-lime-secil/
 
Why does the fact that it's outside and gets wet mean you need to lime render it, I've done loads of these with waterproofer in the scratch coat. Not that I'm knocking proper lime plastering but it may not be necessary for this
RE. Beading I'd bead it out as you say then rule it off using the beads as a guide rather than doing it in bays/sections
 
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