Natural Rock Garden
Organic Gardening On a Slope, Part II
Natural Rock Garden
If putting in a terrace sounds like too much money and too much work, there’s an easier option. You could make a beautiful natural rock garden on your slope. I’m not talking about throwing a bunch of rocks around and white-washing them, though if that appeals to you, hey! It’s YOUR slope and you can do whatever you darn well please with it!
However, if you’re more into natural yards, whitewashing the rocks isn’t going to get it. You want them to blend in with the area, and look like they belong there, like they’ve always been in that spot.
Natural Garden Stones
If the slope has existing rocks, you’re ahead of the game and you can use them. If it doesn’t have any rocks, or not enough to make a nice looking rock garden, then you can import some by either buying them, or scrounging them from someone else’s property.
Naturally, if you want to get rocks from someone else, the first thing to do is ask permission. Most folks are more than happy to get rid of some of the rocks on their land, especially if they’re trying to mow that area! ( Sometimes natural yards can be too much of a good thing!)
And it also goes without saying that with the exception of some holes from removing the rocks, you should leave the property in as good as shape as you found it. In fact, it would be a good idea to try to level out or fill in any holes so no one comes along later and gets tripped up by one. You don’t want your rock garden to be the cause of someone else’s sprained ankle!
A Natural Garden of Rocks
Once you’ve got your rocks, look over your slope and give some thought to placement. You might even make a little sketch and make a plan on where to place those nice rocks you’ve got. You can scatter single rocks here and there, and put some together in a mass. Imagine what a natural rock garden looks like that’s been designed by Mother Nature, and try to makes yours look similar.
Remember, you want the rocks to look natural, like they belong in that setting. That means don’t make rows of rocks! If you’re a neat-nik, resist the impulse to have orderly processions of little rock soldiers on your slope. You’re not fighting a battle, and you’re not planting a vegetable garden, you’re making your slope into a natural looking area of rocks and flowers.
Anchor Your Rocks!
To help it look natural, don’t set the rocks on top of the soil. Hollow out some places in the dirt to bury part of the rock so it will be well anchored and look like it’s a natural part of the hillside.
Since you’re going to be placing plants next to most of the rocks, it will also insure that once you’ve done that, the rock won’t go rolling down the hill taking your plant with it.
Making The Natural Rock Garden Bloom
Alpine plants are traditionally used for rock gardens, but it’s your garden. If you want to use other kinds of plants, go for it. Just make sure to choose plants that will grow in your location and climate.
If the slope is shaded, it would make a nice woodland garden. You could use plants such as trillium, violets, bluebells and others, while a sunny slope has an even wider variety of options since so many more plants will grow in sunlight.
Planting Time
You can place your plants in the soil beside rocks, lower ones in front, or taller ones in back of the rock. You can choose trailing plants that will vine down over the rock. Just be sure when digging holes for plants not to dislodge your rock.
Instead of digging holes, you can also place your rocks so that you can put some good organic loam in a depression behind the rock, and put your plant in that. Be sure to tamp down the soil well, and check you have placed it so the plant won’t wash out with the first hard rain.
Rock On!
Have fun with your rock garden! Get interesting looking rocks and get creative. Try to find plants that will look good in the setting of your slope. Whether you use traditional rock garden plants or try something new, the slope will provide a great place for a rock garden.
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