How to Build a Low Stone Wall
Gardeners, landscapers and farmers all build walls to separate plants and animals, to create raised garden beds, or to create a visually pleasing separation. Sometimes these walls are very tall, especially if you're building a private garden or fencing in animals that can jump. More often, however, people build low walls. Lower walls take less time and are easier to build, and the people building the walls usually only need a minimal barrier for their purposes. Building a low stone wall takes no more than an afternoon once you have your materials. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stone
- Gravel
- Shovel
- Level
- Carpenter's square
- Garden stakes
- Property tape
Instructions
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1
Choose a space and a shape for your wall and mark it with garden stakes and property tape. Drive the garden stakes into the ground and connect them with bright, plastic property tape, using a carpenter's square to make sure the lines are straight and parallel.
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2
Dig an eight-inch-deep foundation trench between the garden stakes. Square the corners and make sure the sides and bottom are flat by using a level. The shape of your trench should exactly match the shape you want your wall to have.
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3
Choose a shape for your wall-stones. Flat, rectangular stones stack easily. Slate and granite weather well and develop a rustic, attractive patina over time.
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4
Fill your foundation trench with gravel. Pour and level the gravel with a shovel, laying a level across the foundation to make sure it is even with the ground.
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5
Stack the first layer of stones on top of the foundation so they line up with its edges. Place the stones as close together as you can without letting them touch.
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6
Stack the second layer of stones on top of the first by lining up the center of each second-layer stone with the seam between two first-layer stones. Stagger all the stones in each layer like this. Stack stones until the wall reaches waist level.
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