How to Use Limestone in Flower Beds

Limestone is a white colored stone with dark accent colors. Limestone, like brick, is an ideal stone accent for any flower bed and an elegant addition to any garden. You can place limestone bricks in a circle to act as a large planter. If the flower bed is larger or is located along the front of your house, place the limestone as a border along the house and around the foliage.

Things You'll Need

• Limestone blocks or bricks
• Bucket
• Wooden stick
• Mortar mix
• Pointed mortar trowel
• Waterpel
• Paint brush

Instructions

1. Order limestone blocks from your local home or garden store. Have them delivered or pick them up if you have a truck.

2. Place the limestone blocks one layer high around the flower bed. This is a sufficient height for a garden retaining wall.

3. Mix 6 parts of sand, with 1 part lime and 1 part white cement to create an appropriate mortar mix. Mix it in a bucket with a wooden stick to a thick consistency like gritty frosting.

4. Place 1 inch of mortar between each limestone block to connect them together. Pick a block up and using a pointed trowel, scoop up the mortar and scrape it onto the side of the block.

5. Butt the block up against the side of the already laid block. I you need more mortar once it is placed, use the pointed trowel to push more mortar in between the blocks.

6. Use a pointed trowel for placing the mortar and also for scraping off any excess from the joints. Clean off any excess mortar that gets on the surface of the limestone blocks and on the ground before it dries. Allow the mortar to cure at least 24 hours before walking on it.

7. Apply a limestone sealant to the dust-free and dry exposed parts of the limestone. The sealant, called "Waterpel" is available at most home stores. It is applied with a paintbrush and helps retain the original appearance of the stone.

Tips & Warnings

• If the limestone retaining wall around your flower bed is only one layer tall, there is no need for any back fill. Add some concrete adhesive to the mortar mix to strengthen the bond.

References

• Limestone Tips and Tricks