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flagstone patio and dry stack raised beds
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Posted by tudorrose AZ (My Page) on Wed, Jul 26, 06 at 13:25
| I'm making plans for the back yard of our new build home, currently its all gravel and I have visions to make raised beds from dry stacked stone and then pave the rest. Its a very small yard only just over 400 sq ft before the beds go in. My hope is to create some visual interest with the different levels, a place to really garden, and some place to sit out. Really a glorified patio. I grew up in the UK surrounded by dry stacked walls and as a kid I helped lay patios and dry stacked retaining walls and banks. However, I am getting bids from local contractors but there is a part of me that would really like to do this project myself. However, the area has a slight slope to it and is a little uneven and I'm wondering whether I would be better off to pay someone else to do the paving and wall building and just do the planting myself? I know I could build the wall as it is only 2ft high and about 35ft long and I have been reading a fantastic book called "the art and craft of stonescaping". My big concern is the unlevelness of the site and providing adequate drainage.
I would like some input from those out there who have done this before. How hard is this to do really? Should I accept that I should take concrete pavers and pay someone to install them rather than having the flagstone that I really want but can't have if I have to pay someone to do the installation. Its a bit daunting to a newbie and I don't know if I'm backing off a realistic challenge or if I go ahead am I about to get in above my head?
Also any recommendations on where to get good stone in the Phoenix AZ area?
Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: flagstone patio and dry stack raised beds
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| If you've got a strong back and cushy knee pads I'm sure you could do the stone work. It sounds as tho you are most afraid of the prep work - leveling and not messing up the drainage. Has drainage been a problem? Are you concerned because of putting in the raised beds or is it the whole area? For a patio I would think you would want it almost level. If I wanted flagstone, I would not go with pavers. Think about hiring a laborer/helper to rake all the gravel to the bottom of the flower beds, fill the flower beds with top soil before or as the stone wall is built and to make-ready (with stonedust and a little sand) the patio area. Unless you use small flagstone I'm sure you will appreciate some help hauling the stone.
Hopefully, since you are in Arizona this is a late fall/winter project. |
RE: flagstone patio and dry stack raised beds
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| Ironically, you're not a newbie compared to most people who take on this sort of project. You also fall into the category of people who will probably be most frustrated by having contracters, as you probably have pretty specific expectations about how they should do it. I agree that the site prep is what you sound most leery of, and it isn't rocket science. Get a book on laying patios that explains site prep, levelling, and base material selection (I have one I like called Patios and Walkways, do it now do it fast do it right, by Taunton Press), and you'll see that it's well within your reach. Regarding drainage, think about where the water comes from, and where you want it to go, and slope the patio accordingly. Flagstone has gaps that the water can soak in between too, and you're not exactly in a high rainfall area either, are you? If you want flagstone, you won't be happy with pavers. |
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