How to Lay a Dry Rock Wall

Dry rock walls add dimension to your landscaping.

Dry rock walls are commonly used as retaining walls in landscaping. Built without the use of mortar, the rocks stack on top of each other to keep dirt from sliding into unwanted places in your yard. The wall can help prevent erosion while adding a rustic dimension to your landscape design. Purchase the large, flat stones at a landscape-supply store, or search your local creek bed for appropriate rocks.

Things You'll Need

• Flat rocks in varying sizes
• Spray paint
• Garden hose
• Shovel or spade
• Hammer
• Goggles
• Gloves

Instructions

1. Don your goggles and gloves. Safety gear is essential when handling and breaking rocks.

2. Draw the outline of your dry rock wall using spray paint. If you're undecided about the layout, use a garden hose to shape different curved or straight designs before painting the outline.

3. Dig a trench inside the painted outline using a shovel or spade. The trench should be at least 6 inches deep and wide enough to fit your largest stones. The back of the trench should be slightly lower than the front so the rocks will tilt slightly backward. The difference between the back of trench and the front should be about an inch, or slightly less.

4. Separate your stones according to size. Lay them out from largest to smallest.

5. Place your largest stones in the trench with the sides touching. Use smaller stones as shims to fill in low areas in the line of rocks.

6. Stack layers of rocks on top of each other, using progressively smaller rocks. Alternate the joints between the rocks on each layer so no two joints lay on top of each other. This will help ensure a stable wall.

7. Fill in any low areas with smaller rocks to keep each layer level. Break bigger rocks with a hammer if necessary to create smaller rocks.

8. Shovel dirt behind each layer of the rock wall, and use your foot to tamp down each layer of soil. This will anchor the rocks, which are tilted slightly backward toward the dirt, and keep the wall secure. At the same time, the rocks will be keeping the dirt behind the wall from moving.

9. Repeat the layers until the wall reaches the height you need.

Tips & Warnings

• Use existing landscape features when designing the dry rock wall. Use the wall to hold back soil in a slope in your yard or to define a raised flower bed.

References

• P. Allen Smith: Dry Stack Retaining Wall
• Service Magic: How to Build a Dry Stone Retaining Wall