Dry Rock Beds, A Decorative Outdoor Landscape Feature

Dry rock beds are a decorative outdoor landscape feature. This outdoor project has a duel purpose. Dry stone beds provide a solution to drainage problems, and also creates a wonderful accent to your landscape area. If you are thinking about this type of bed, decide if you need this feature to redirect water from one area of your yard to another. You could also do your landscaping with solid or corrugated pipes. Here are a few tips to think about...

• Do you have existing natural stones on your property? Do you have different sizes? Could you create a bed out of these rocks?


• How long and wide do you need or want the area to be?


• If you decide on a decorative bed, and don't have any materials, where could you get the different size stones from?


• Do you hire a landscaper or do this outdoor project yourself? What is involved in preparation and installing?

Below are two different types of dry rock beds. The first photo is a decorative bed, created by purchasing stones from a specialized suppler. The second picture was done with rocks already on my clients property. He had drainage problems and a bed was installed to help the water flow from the front of his property down the side, and towards a lake. The two beds are prepared the same way. If you plan to buy stones, either measure your area and bring the measurements to the suppler, or have a professional measure it for you. Stones are delivered in pallets and are very heavy. They are unloaded with a fork lift, so you will want to plan the project with keeping this factor in mind. Make sure you have an open area so the driver can get the stones as close as he can to your where you will be working.

Decorative Dry Stone Bed

• Materials include - stones, (large and small) rake, wheelbarrow shovel, pick ax or mattock, tape measure, string, four stakes and a tamper. The tamper is optional but I highly recommend so you can level your bed.
• Measure out the area, putting stakes on the four corners. Tie the string to two of the stakes at one end and bring the string down to the other two stakes. Make sure the string is taunt.
• Dig out your bed. You can make a dry stone bed any size. Usually a one to three foot width will work. Your length will depend on what your purpose of this project is. When doing a bed for a drainage problem you will have to make sure you start the bed at the point where the water begins to flow. You don't have to dig real deep. Go anywhere from between two to four inches.
• Once you have dug the bed out, rake it down as smoothly as you can. Take the tamper and level it all over.
• Use the large stones and border either side of the bed. Do a single layer or you can lay a couple of rocks side by side.
• The smaller stones are place down the bed about 2 to three inches thick. You can buy these rocks at a specialty store, or many nursery and garden centers carry them.
• One word of caution, if you are doing a decorative bed, look at where you are planning on installing it. Try not to put it next to large trees. When fall arrives your bed will become overwhelmed with leaves. Not a pretty sight and a lot more work for you.

This technique is actually very simple. The length of time spent on this landscape feature will of course depend on how long and wide the area will be. The drainage dry stone bed you see in the second picture took about three days. It will take you longer collecting existing stones from your yard. Gathering and transporting the rocks in a wheel barrow to the proper place is a bit time consuming, but well worth it in the dollars you will be saving.The first photo shows a smaller bed and was completed in about three to four hours. Take a look at the other outdoor features and see how to build a decorative or retaining wall, and creating a walkway without using cement. I hope these few tips and techniques will help you decide if you need or want a dry rock bed at your home. Remember, plan correctly, prep properly, and install the rock materials of your choice. This is another outdoor feature that will accent your total landscape area.