[H1366]How To Make A Rock Garden

One of the most cost effective ways to beautify your landscape is to add a rock garden. Rock gardens are often thought of as being representative of the British Isles, the climate is so harsh it does not allow delicate plants and flowers to grow. Rock gardens are often thought of as having little or no flowers or vegetation, however, this is not true when making your own. You can arrange the rocks in your outdoor garden in colors to coordinate with the plants and colors of your home, this will look spectacular. One of the added benefits of having a rock garden is that there is little if any lawn mowing to be done, so it reduces the amount of time you spend doing yard work.
The first step in making your own rock garden is to look carefully over the terrain of your garden. You should take time to clear away unwanted plants, weeds, dead grasses or other debris. You also need to get rid of any roots as well as tops, or you may find unwanted plants or perennials invading your rock garden.
If you plan on planting something in your rock garden, you need to test the soil for its PH levels. This will have a direct baring on what types of plant life will thrive in your rock garden. After you have purchased and placed your rocks in their desired locations, you should wait one full growing season before putting any new plants in your rock garden. This will allow you time to make sure you have completely gotten rid of any weeds or plants. It is also a good time to add in any soil enhancers such as mulch, compost or other compounds. If you intend to use plants that like alkali soil, then it is a good idea to mix in some oyster shell or limestone.
After you have made improvements to the soil, then it comes time to place your rocks where you want them. It is important that you place your rocks strategically to maximize their aesthetic value. Do not place them evenly or according to size or shape, use a little imagination and variety to make your garden really stand out. If you want to have a lot of plants in your garden then you need to remember to leave more space in between your rocks. The plants are going to need room for their root systems and to grow. This will make your rock garden habitat look more natural and attractive.
When putting rocks into a sloped garden, its best to begin at the lower parts of the slope and work your way up. Sloping the top of the rock backward will allow rain water and sprinkler water to flow downward. Try to keep outcroppings from blocking out light or overshadowing the rocks and vegetation below. The goal here is to try and create a feeling of stability. Place each rock so that its wides part serves as a base for the next rock. Then you can set a larger rock on top of smaller ones and fill in the cracks with dirt or mulch.
If your garden is on flat ground, work from the inside to the outer edges. You can also plan a circle shaped garden, or a rock garden in some other shape surrounded by attractive landscaping. It is a good idea to mark out with rocks where you would like them to go, to make sure they are placed in the proper area. It may even be necessary to have a map for accuracy. On a flat site, you can build up small dirt mounds in different places to give your garden interest and appeal.
If you plan to use plants in your garden, you should be careful to plant them after everything else is in place, and after you have a chance to make sure the planting area and soil has settled out properly. Early in the spring or early autumn are the best times of the year to do any planting, including planting in rock gardens. Make sure you choose plants that are suited for rugged terrain and adapted to your climate. Then, plant them in the spaces you have designated. The end result should be a beautiful garden that requires little upkeep.
If you are going to use plants or vegetation in your garden, you need to be careful and only plant them after all the heavy ground work is done. You also need to make sure that the soil is properly settled and landscaping rocks are properly arranged on your garden. Early spring and fall are ideal times to do any planting, especially rock gardens. Buying suitable plants for a rugged terrain and climate appropriate is important. Plant them in the predesignated spots and the end result will be a beautiful rock garden that requires minimal upkeep.