Building a stone wall can seem like an overwhelming task if you’ve never done it before. Here’s how to build a simple, straight stone wall in your garden using basic materials and techniques. Once you get the hang of building a wall, you can move on to more complex designs.
Choose your wall stones.
- Choose stones with a flat surface. The wall will be built from the top down, so it’s important that all of your stones are level and straight so that they fit together properly.
- Choose stones of similar size, shape and color. This will make your garden look more cohesive and natural when it is complete.
- Choose sturdy, durable stone types such as granite or basalt—these types of stone will last longer than softer ones like limestone or sandstone and won’t break easily if you accidentally bump into them while working on your project! If possible try to find some reclaimed brick obelisks online if you’re looking for something specific but don’t want to pay top dollar then these might be right up your alley!
- Choose easy-to-work-with materials like slate tiles instead of large boulders which may prove difficult or dangerous when trying to move around them without proper equipment available nearby first hand experience here; this happened recently after we installed our new solar panels at home last year during Hurricane Matthew which caused major flooding throughout our neighborhood where most people lost everything including their homes during those few days after hurricane landed…but guess what happened? Nothing bad happened because we have excellent insurance coverage through Geico Insurance company which allowed us get everything replaced sooner rather than later.”
Remove Topsoil
After you’ve removed all of the topsoil, use a string line and stakes to mark out where your base trench needs to be dug. You’ll want to make sure that the bottom of this trench is level with the stone wall.
You can use a shovel or hand tools to remove any remaining topsoil in preparation for laying out your foundation. If you’re working on an uneven surface, it may be necessary to remove more soil at specific points than others in order for everything else in your garden design plans to fall into place properly later down the road.
Mark out Digging Lines
The first step is to mark out the trench with a string line. A chalk line can be used for this, but it’s easier to simply mark the string with a rake. Then use your rake and shovel to dig out the trench.
Now that you’ve dug out your trench and marked it with a rake, use your handsaw or power saw to cut down more trees if necessary (unless they’re very small). This will leave gaps in between trees where they shouldn’t be—these need fixing.
Dig the trench for the footing.
- Dig the trench for the footing. The footing should be dug so that it’s slightly wider than the length and width of your stones, with a depth equal to their height.
- Lay out your stone wall on a flat surface and measure how many stones you’ll need to create an even-heighted wall.
- Remove any grass from where you’re going to build, then dig a trench for the footings. Trenches can be dug by hand with a shovel or spade (or rented trencher), and mark out its dimensions with stakes and string if necessary. For example: If you’re building a 4′-high stone wall with 2’x4′ footings along each side, dig two trenches that are 3′ wide by 6″ deep (4 x 6 = 24″). This is enough room for four 8″-thick cement blocks stacked side-by-side (8 x 4 = 32″).
Level the base of the trench.
The first step to building a stone wall is to level the base of the trench. Use a spirit level to check the base of the trench and make sure it’s completely level. You can choose stones that are larger than normal, but you have to be careful; if they are too big, they will look unnatural and take away from your stone wall’s natural appearance. It may seem obvious, but write down all of your measurements on paper so you don’t forget them.
In order for this project to work, every piece must be chosen carefully—and this includes checking for hidden imperfections in the stone before selecting it for use on your project.
Build up the stone wall foundation.
Use a level to make sure the stones are level and use a tape measure to make sure they’re the same height. If you don’t have either of these tools, use a spirit level instead.
When you’ve built up your foundation, it’s time for the next step: building up your wall.
Build up the wall sides by two or three stones.
The wall will be a lot sturdier if you build it up by two or three stones. You can use your level to check that the top of each stone is level with the ground and with its neighbor, and that the capstone is level with all other stones.
Add fill between stones, as needed.
Add fill between stones, as needed. Fill should be about 1/4 inch deep and level with the tops of stones. If you need to add more fill after the wall has been partially built, use sand or gravel. Make sure it is evenly distributed across the top of the wall and that there are no large pockets of air left in any areas where you have added fill. Use a trowel to smooth out any bumps or dips in an uneven surface; then rinse off your tools using a garden hose before building on another area of wall construction.
Create a capstone to finish off the top of your wall.
To finish off your wall, you’ll need to create a capstone. The purpose of a capstone is to help stabilize the structure and prevent sloping or sagging. It can be made from either stone or concrete, and is placed at the very top of your wall.
The final step in building your wall is to add any edging that you feel would complement its design as well as keep it in place. You can use wood or metal depending on what kind of look you’re going for.
Learning how to build a stone wall can be rewarding and help you save money on materials.
- Learning how to build a stone wall can be rewarding and help you save money on materials. This is because stone walls are very durable, lasting for decades or even centuries.
- Stone walls are a great way to add privacy to your garden by hiding those unsightly bushes or trees behind them.
In addition to these benefits, there are many other reasons why building a stone wall would be beneficial for any gardener:
Conclusion
These are just some of the steps you’ll need to take when you build a stone wall. The process can be quite involved, and it’s important to make sure you have all the right tools and materials before you start. If you’re still unsure about how to build a stone wall on your own, consider hiring a professional. This can save time and money in the long run since they’ll know what they’re doing from start to finish.
