Alpine Garden - What Is It And Can You Have One Too?

DESIGNING THE ROCK GARDEN

If you have a garden with a little slope, then this is great for you. The rock garden can be cut from the already existing ground following the natural contours of the soil. If your garden is flat, then it will be a necessity for you to think about building a rock garden based on an outcrop principle where the rocks form layers or terraces. These layers will help accommodate the plants. Whichever your garden is, great care should be taken in the designing stage.

Choose your rock carefully. The cost of the material is very expensive and you will not get much for your money. The cost of getting the rock to your garden is also a thing to think about when choosing your rocks. If you have a local quarry, then you should go and hand pick all your rocks.  Once the rocks are delivered, you will have to move them into the position you want for your garden. Please take into consideration that one piece of rock that measures 45 cm x 23 cm x 23 cm (18" x 9" x “) will weigh about 43 kg or 95 lbs. So you will get about 25 pieces of rock per ton. Now taking all of that into consideration, you should be able to tell how many rocks or how many tons you need for your garden. Make sure you draw out your space first and then calculate the number rocks you will need before ordering or going to pick out the ones you want for your garden.

The next stage of this process involves actually putting your plan into action. Mark the shape of the area that you have designed for you garden. However, remember at this point, to allow for an area of screen or moraine type plants that will be at the base of your rock garden. Don't be afraid to modify your design.

THE CONSTRUCTION:

Before the rocks get to your area, make sure the ground has been very well prepared for first. Lying of the rock is the most important thing you will do during your whole entire construction process. The rocks should be at the bottom of the slope. The angle that you place the first rock at is the angle the rest of the rocks must follow. The grain of the rock is also important in determining the angle of the rocks. If in nature the rock is formed in strata, horizontal or vertical, then the angle must be the same way. Maybe take some pictures of different rock gardens, to see exactly what you would like your rock garden to look like.  Try and experiment with keystone and different types of rocks. The rocks should be ‘planted' in the earth. It should be firmly in the soil. The reason for this is because at some stage, whether it is weeding or planting or collecting seed, it may become necessary for you to stand on the rocks. In addition, when standing on the rocks, you will need them to be stable and sturdy under your feet. In addition, any instability may cause root damage to any plants or flowers that are around the rocks. After you laid the first stone, lay the rest the same way and with the same motion.  In addition, I bet that before you are done planting the rocks for your garden, not all of the rocks will be the same way.

INFILLING:

Once you have constructed the first level of your garden, it will be important for you to fill in this with a good soil mixture. This step is the most important part and must be done with patience and great care. The ‘infill compost' has to be very firmly packed behind, under, and in-between each piece of rockwork. This step is necessary in the prevention of spaces for the frost to penetrate.  That is saying that you have mixed ‘suitable' compost for this infill between the rocks. However, firm packing doesn't mean solid compaction. There must be enough aeration in the infill compost for oxygen and drainage. What you need to avoid are pockets where the roots will surely penetrate but will find no compost. If it does find compost, this will kill your plants. If you infill during every step of your construction, it will help the aeration process and makes things easier later on for you.