Love the stone walls. Fantastic look. I have a stone wall similar to the lower wall in the photo. How do you keep the dirt and mulch behind the rocks from washing out in a rainstorm? Is there a secret?
Kevin, on the natural stone walls the key is to direct runoff so if flows parellel with wall not over it. It also helps to plant groundcovers on top of wall to stabilize slope and replace need for pine straw. That being said, there is some dirt that washes out after the first few rains, but in time that goes away and moss fills in the cracks.
King is correct on addressing the drainage, as well as covering the soil with plant material and mulch. Sometimes, we have placed a heavy landscape fabric behind the wall, and only used gravel for about 4 inches of backfill. The gravel locks in the back of the stones, and if the stons are fit tightly, you cannot see the gravel. The fabric then keeps the soil out of the gravel, and prevents excess from washing through to the face of the rocks.
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Normally, we do not use fabric and gravel. After building the wall, the soil backfill is loose and is easily washed through the joints, especially during heavy, extended rainfalls. Usually, after a period of time, the loose dirt behind the stones packs in and the washing simply stops occurring.
Normally, we do not use fabric and gravel. After building the wall, the soil backfill is loose and is easily washed through the joints, especially during heavy, extended rainfalls. Usually, after a period of time, the loose dirt behind the stones packs in and the washing simply stops occurring.