Before building a stone wall, it’s important to prepare all the necessary equipment. This will save you a lot of trouble when you start the construction.
Required Tools and Materials
Spade
Trowel
String
Pick
Stakes or measuring tape
Stones
Gravel
Hammer
Choosing and Preparing the Site
Go around the garden and determine how large the wall needs to be. This will help you decide how many stones to get. Clear out any debris from the site. Put the other pots and plants in a temporary location.
Laying the Foundation for the Stones
Prepare the soil. Use compost and some soil. Include gravel so there will be drainage. You can start building a stone wall by using the stakes or tape to set the starting point. When this has been set, excavate a trench. It needs to be at least four inches deep.
Put in some gravel. If there is no gravel, sand can be used instead. Flatten the mix. It needs to be firmed up before any stones are set in place. You can use a hammer or some other object to firm the surface.
Adding the Stones
Put the rocks on top of the foundation. Leave a space of about an inch between each one. After the first stone layers are set in place, apply an inch of soil mix above it. It is a good idea to stagger the stones. This makes the walls stronger and more formidable. If soil mix isn’t available, you can use crushed stones instead.
When building a stone wall, it’s a good idea to add the largest pieces first. This ensures a stronger foundation. The space behind the wall can be filled with dirt or other crushed stones too. When the uppermost layer is finished, add some gravel. Others would add some stones to further solidify it. This is only optional however.
Tips and Warnings
You can put some plants in the stone walls if you like. Just leave some space between the blocks so the pots can fit in. You can also put in some herbs there if you like. You can use the trowel to fit everything in place as you are building a stone wall.
Here’s a way to get the exact number of stones you need. Multiply the height, depth and width. The result is the cubic feet. Take the stone volume in lbs for every cubic foot and multiply this by the cubic feet. To determine the weight needed.
Be careful when lifting the stones, especially the large ones. Wear protective gloves when carrying large rocks. If the weather is very hot, you should take frequent breaks. If the area is large, you should consider getting some help when making the structure.
The stones you use will affect the quality of the structure. Just like when making bricks, you should spend some time in getting the right materials.
The steps for building a stone wall are straightforward. You just need to be a little patient so problems can be avoided.
