So you think that you want to build a rock garden! Good for you as Bob and I love people with positive attitudes.
This is something that you can do with the proper planning and knowledge of what lies ahead of you.
First of all comes the design and as we have stated elsewhere on our site, sit down with a good selection of magazines and books on the subject of rock gardening.
Consider hiring the top landscape designer or consultant where you live. Explain to him or her the scope of your vision and request a working plan.
Be up front with the professional by informing them that you plan to do the installation yourself.
Consider asking for a turn key quote if for no other reason than to see how much money that you will save doing your own work.
Let’s proceed at the point where you have a working plan and want to get going as follows:
Pick out your key rocks or boulders which are the ones with unique features. Such as rocks with holes that can serve as planting pockets. Or those with exceptional color, etc. These are the boulders that will be out front or the show pieces of your project.
Pick out the filler boulders which are the ones that will form the foundation for the garden. I always use a great deal of what I like to call filler boulders as they will if used properly provide extra strength for the finished project.
If possible have the stone yard make separate deliveries of the key and filler boulders. Nothing makes a bigger mess than having both delivered on the same truck and then all jumbled together when dumped in one pile. Pay an extra delivery fee as it is money well spent and will save labor.
Don’t forget the filter fabric as it will keep your planting soil mixture from washing away. This fabric should be placed at the very base of the garden prior to boulder installation.
We hope that your designer has developed an elevated concept for you as a combination alpine-rock garden really shine when incorporated together.
Will you be adding a water theme? If your answer is yes then you must plan very carefully and allow enough room to fit all of the proposed features into the project.
Be sure to run all electrical and water supply lines early in the construction stage so they will be out of sight upon garden completion. I have seen finished gardens where all of the supply lines show and believe me this doesn’t make for a pleasant sight.
Don’t overlook various evergreens that have a trailing habit as you will love them tucked into planting pockets between and cascading over the boulders.
