Do you have a flat, unappealing space in your backyard in need of some help? Well, not to worry. You can transform that space by making beautiful raised beds using stone walls. But this project is not for the faint of heart! It's somewhat complicated, and if you do it yourself, it may take a few weekends to complete. Here are some basic guidelines, but you may also want to enlist the help of an expert in your area to get you started.
Before you begin, purchase the materials. Also, take safety precautions--wear safety goggles and/or surgical mask when recommended.
Materials:
(Note: Amounts will vary depending on the size of your desired bed)
- sketch of what you want your bed to look like
- wall stone (consult your local stone yard to determine which stone is right for your wall and budget)
- Class 2 crushed limestone (contains various sizes of stone, from 3/4 inch to powdered)
- crushed stone (that does not contain silt)
- amended soil (containing peat moss, cow manure, and compost)
- construction spray paint
- tools: shovel, tape measure, level, wheelbarrow, chisel
Step 1: Get started For a project like this, you need to begin with a plan. Start by sketching out the shape of your bed, making sure that it flows well with the rest of your yard. Measure out the desired length and width to determine the amount of stone and soil you'll need. You might even want to take a few pictures of the space in which you want to build the bed, and bring them with you to your local stone yard.
Step 2: Choose your stone
Now it's time to choose which stone to use. Consider tumbled concrete, anchor Windsor block, 6- to 18-inch field stone boulders, or even solid granite (probably the most expensive choice). Most stone yards have a qualified hardscaper on hand to help you.
Step 3: Mark the borders
Once you have all the materials home, it's time to start bringing the wall to life in your yard. As always, before you dig, be sure to mark the location of any nearby utility lines. Next, use construction spray paint to lay out the outer lines of your bed.
Step 4: Dig the trench
Dig a trench around the outer edge of your bed, about four inches deep. This is where you will lay the stone. The width will vary depending on the width of your stone. Next, fill the trench with a layer of crushed two limestone before you add the wall stones. Your qualified hardscaper can help you determine how deep this layer should be. This limestone layer will provide an excellent foundation for your wall and will help to prevent it from shifting during freezing and thawing periods.
Step 5: Add the wall stones
Now it's time to begin building the wall. Lay the wall stones into the trench. The stones should be level from side to side, but should be tilted slightly inward (towards the center of the bed) from front to back. This will give additional strength to the wall and help to prevent it from falling down. Use your level to make certain that the angle of the stones is consistent throughout the wall. Now have some fun! It will be a lot like building a giant jigsaw puzzle--only with this puzzle, you're allowed to break the rules. Don't be afraid to change the shape of a particular stone with your chisel if it doesn't quite fit.
Step 6: Backfill the bed
Now that your wall is up, it's time to backfill the bed with a crushed stone that doesn't contain silt. Make certain that you do this before you add the soil. This stone layer allows the water to run out of the bed while leaving the soil in place. It also prevents the wall from shifting during freezing and thawing periods.
Step 7: Fill with soil
Now you're finally ready to add the soil amended with the three magic ingredients: peat moss, compost and cow manure. By increasing the quality of the soil you use in your bed, you increase your plants' potential to thrive in their new home.
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