Field reporter Joe Lovitt and gardening expert Mike Hibbard explains how to build a rock garden.
Materials:
rocks
plants
gravel
sand
loam
brick
crowbar
length of pipe
water-based potter clay
yogurt
Steps:
- Find the perfect site, which ideally would be a slope that faces southeast. However, for flat areas, simply build a round pyramid-shaped raised bed. The bed should face north and southeast with a shaded western area.
- A wide variety of plants can thrive in a raised bed.
- Fill the bed of a rock garden with one part pea gravel, one part sand and two parts loam.
- Next find the rocks needed to build the garden. Gather rocks that match and look well together to build an attractive bed. Avoid mixing rock types. Also, rocks found in the local area will look more natural in the garden.
- The large anchor rocks should go in first. These will have to be placed by professional landscapers with machinery that can handle that much weight.
- Another consideration is portability of the rocks. Try to choose rocks that can be moved by one or two people. Use a simple lever system that is made up of a brick, a crowbar and a length of pipe to move larger rocks. By placing a pipe over the handle of the crowbar, it extends the length about four feet. Using the brick as a fulcrum, larger rocks can be moved to a new garden site.
- Flat stones can act as steeping stones and help to bring water down to the bed surface. Edging stones are also nice, and larger stones can be used as small sitting areas in the garden.
- Group three or four rocks together to create the look of one large rock.
- If a rock gets scraped during transport or setup, make a solution of water-based potter clay and yogurt to camouflage marks on the rocks and add a weathered look. Use about three parts clay with one part yogurt and mix until it's about the consistency of toothpaste. Paint on rocks. The yogurt will add enzymes and encourage the growth of lichens and moss.
- Anchor plants are very important in a rock garden. Consult a local gardening center to find out what sort of anchor plants will work best in your climate.
Guests Mike Hibbard
Professional Gardener, Bachman's Garden Center
6010 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55419
Phone: 612-861-7311 or 612-861-7676
Toll-free: 866-222-4626
Website:
www.bachmans.com
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