How to Build a Rock Wall like a Beginner

[hunterridgefarm]

Let me start off by saying I am not a rock layer. Do not compare this to the other more professional looking rock walls on TBN.

I am recycling rock from our other farm and wanted a small rock retaining wall at the farm where we live. I told my wife when I started building I did not want this to look like a professional had build the wall...I think I have achieved this:laughing:

I wanted a wall that looked like it had been here for years, a little uneven from settling, a few missing on the top course like it had been there for a hundred years. I have a look I am trying to achieve with the wall and the greenhouse, raised beds, and garden shed that this small drive leads to. I have very old locust post for the fence and saplings as the fence rails. You know an old rustic look.

I still need to go get a couple more loads and some of the small flat stone to finish out the top.

The picture are not great because I took them late yesterday with my Blackberry and the sun was setting.

The last 10-12' is dry stacked. Since the sun is setting earlier and I get home late I try to dry stack to get the rock I need set in place and hope to mortar them in Saturday.

I have about 25 more foot to go on the wall. My plan is to lay the last 25 foot as though this section of wall had fallen down many years ago. Laying in a pattern on the bank. Then plant succulents and other type plants in the openings as though they have grown over the fallen wall for many years.

Not sure this is the way I will go I have started laying some of the rock in this pattern and will look at it a few days to determine if I like it or just continue the way I have started.

David

 

[DKCDKC]

I am building a rock wall across the front of my house to hold in or set off a bank. But my rocks are not as flat and stackable as yours. I have rock from a few inches to several feet in size and totally irregular in shape. I will have a real puzzle to put them together tight enough to look good. I'll have to use the tractor to move and place the large rock. Fun... Fun... Fun.

 

[forgeblast]

That is some nice stone. I love the look of drystack stone walls.

 

[archeryantny]

it looks great, and you have some nice material, just make sure you stagger your joints.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

DK,

I would like to see the wall once you get started. Some of the rock on the upper end weigh around 200 lb. I used a hand truck to roll those into position.

forgeblast,

I like the dry stack but these rock need mortar in between them.

archery,

I have 90 % of the joints staggered. It hard sometimes finding the right rock. You may work 2 hours and get 3' of wall completed.

 

[forgeblast]

Woops I scanned the post and went right for the stone pictures. I just saw now that you were mortaring them. I can see the mortar in the second picture too. Very nice job.

 

[1bush2hog]

Looking good David!

 

[oosik]

Those are fine looking rocks and your wall is definitely great. Are those rock sandstone? Unfortunately all the rock around here is round like a bowling ball and not at all easy to stack.

 

[cartod]

That looks great!

 

[Bob77064]

Good job, looks great.