Landscape & Retaining Walls

Natural Balance of Natural Stone for Landscape and Retaining Walls

Natural stone for landscape and retaining walls is something that will give outstanding touch when you can choose the right stone.The fact that stone is quarried from land makes natural stone a perfect touch for landscape. Natural stone is something that meant for landscaping, especially for walkways, paths, borders, ground cover, stone mulch, and paving. For retaining walls, natural stone will make the wall looks natural with warm and refreshing feeling. The strength and durability of stone even in hard weather, is the other reason to choose this material for your outdoor setting. One thing to remember is how to maintain the nature balance on the area.

The Affect of Natural Stone for Landscape and Retaining Walls to Environment

Although it is natural material, the use of stone on landscape and retaining wall may influence the nature balance in the environment, especially soil condition and the growth of plants. Natural stone for landscape and retaining walls could make the soil denser and some type of stone may change chemical balance in the soil that will effect the growth of plants around it. Drainage and trapped leaves could become other issues you need to think about it. Hence, you need to understand characteristic of different natural stone types to choose the right stone for the right uses, as well as the right setting.

Limestone is one common stone that widely use in outdoor setting due to its beauty, durability, wide range of choices, and abundance amount. Limestone is also classified as lightweight stone. On the other hand, just like lime that contains acid, limestone gravel could change soil acidity level. Plants will hardly grow in acidic soil. Therefore, limestone is not suitable for covering planting bed or ground cover. If you want to use limestone as Natural stone for landscape and retaining walls, it would be better if the stone do not contact the soil or you choose stronger plants for the surrounding area.

The setting of the stone could also affect growing plants. Stone mulch is good to retain moisture on the soil and prevent weeds to grow in the area. On the contrary, stone could absorb heat that will make surrounding area hotter. Some plantings could dry out because of it. It would be better if you do not have stone mulch for large area or carefully choose the stone type to minimize the effect. For other setting of Natural stone for landscape and retaining walls, you also need to consider the surrounding plants to minimize bad effect of stone to the growing plants.

In order to allow water filtration, angular rocks are preferable than rounded rock or crushed rock. Space between angular rocks is wider and the setting is less compact. In contrast, wider space created by angular rocks could easily trap leaves. Smaller rock lays flatter is a better choice in the area where leaves fall to make it easier for leaf blowing. In order to let the soil breath, you should not use plastic sheeting but choose landscape fabric instead. Since there are so many things to consider and calculate, you may need professional help for the use of Natural stone for landscape and retaining walls.