Rock Gardens - A Wonderful Way To Improve Your Yard

If you want to improve the looks of your backyard without spending a lot of money, then you should consider putting in a rock garden Rock gardens are most often associated with the British Isles, where the climate is rarely accommodating to delicate plants. Rock gardens usually don't have very many plants, but the ones they do have tend to be very hardy. When the rocks in your garden are properly arranged, not only will they enhance the beauty of your home, but they will also make it so you have less grass that needs to be cut.

The first thing to do when starting your rock garden is to carefully look over the proposed site for your garden. Remove any spindly grass varieties as well as any diseased plants and trees and any other plants you don't want there. If you don't want your rock garden to be spoiled by unwanted ferns or intrusive perennials later on, you should be sure to get all the roots out of the ground now.

If you want to add some plants, you first need to test the soils acidity level and the general pH. It is a good idea, even after you have placed your rocks and mapped out where you want to put any plants, to wait a full growing season before you attempt to plant in your rock garden. Waiting will give the soil a chance to settle, plus it will give you time to get rid of any annoying weeds by hoeing them and their roots out, whenever they pop up above the ground. You should also try to improve the soil by adding compost, mulch, and various other compounds. You may need to add some crushed oyster shells or some limestone to the soil if the plants you wish to plant require alkali.

After you have improved the soil, then it is time to place your rocks. For aesthetic reason, don't space your rocks evenly, or use rocks that are the same shape or size. Variety is key when choosing rocks for your rock garden, just as it is when choosing plants for a conventional garden. If you want to have a lot of plants in your rock garden, then you will have to space the rocks further apart to give the plants room. On the other hand, if you are only going to use a few plants, leave less space between the rocks, but leave space for the plants to grow. Your rock garden will be more attractive the more natural you can make the design look.

In a sloping garden, begin placing your rocks in the bottom part of the slope and work to the top part of the slope It at all possible slope the top of your rocks so rainwater and the water from your sprinklers will be guided to the bottom of the slope. You also want to stop any outcroppings from overshadowing rocks and any plants below. The goal is to create a feeling of stability. Set each rock so that its widest side serves a base. Try taking a larger rock and put it on some smaller rocks and use some sand to fill the cracks.

If you are placing the rocks on flat ground, work from the inside toward the outer edges of the garden. If you are planning a circular garden, or a rock garden in some other shape that is surrounded by other landscape features, this can be tricky. Therefore, it is a good idea to mark out which rocks you would like on a map so that you can ensure their proper placement in the garden. With a rock garden located on a flat site, you can give it a more interesting appearance by building small mounds of dirt in a few different places.

Make sure the soil has settled and everything is in place before you add any plants to the garden. To ensure the best results, make sure you start planting in early autumn or spring. This includes planting in rock gardens. Plants that are able to thrive in rugged terrain and are adapted to your areas climate, are the only plants that should be choosen. Then, plant them in the spaces you have designated. The end result should be a beautiful garden that requires little upkeep.