How to Build Short Flagstone Walls
Short flagstone walls are used to border gardens and define areas within your yard or garden. Short flagstone walls can also be used for light-duty retaining walls. Short flagstone walls are built using the "dry" method and use no mortar or cement. A short flagstone wall is also called a stacked rock wall. Here are some tips to help you build short flagstone walls and beautify your space. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Define the wall area by using landscape friendly spray paint or lime. Draw the "footprint" of the stone wall with the paint directly on top of the grass or dirt.
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Insert sticks in the soil at both ends of the stone wall, make sure they are at least as tall as the wall will be. Tie a string around one stick at the height of the top of the wall. Pull the string to the end stick and tie it at the appropriate height as well. The string will help you keep the stone wall level and will give you a measurement.
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Measure the width and depth and height of the proposed stone wall. Flagstone usually comes in large pieces so you will probably only need one rock for the depth measurement. Multiply the height by the width to determine how many square feet of flagstone you'll need.
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Prepare the bed of the short stone wall. If you are building a retaining wall, dig a trench that is about a foot wider than the wall depth will be. Dig down at least ten inches to keep the "dry" stacked stone more stable. Slope the ground you will be retaining behind the wall. Slope it away from the wall you'll be building; the short stone wall leans back to the hill.
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Add gravel to the trench to give the short stone wall a better footing. Rake the gravel in until it's level with the ground.
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Use large stones for the first course and cover the gravel. Make sure the flagstones are seated solidly and not wobbling. Add the next course of stones and stagger the joints from the first course; continue to build the stone wall the same way. Lean each successive course further into the hill, about an inch for every foot in height.
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Save large flagstones for the top course to give your short flagstone wall a finished look. Concrete can be used for the top course; not only will it look more finished, it will be more sturdy.
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Back-fill the finished wall with small leftover pieces of stone and soil for added stability. Add plants and your short flagstone wall will look as though it's always been there.
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Tips & Warnings
Save small chips from the stone and use as shims to steady a wobbly stone.
