Rocks are an integral part of a naturally balanced landscape. Because nature includes both living things and inanimate objects like stone, a garden without rocks seems incomplete, while a landscape that juxtaposes plant life against hard surfaces is always interesting. But gardens are all different from one another. Some are informal, while others are symmetrically structured. Some are naturally rambling, and others are precisely manicured. So, knowing how to incorporate rocks into your garden may not come so naturally to you. Here are a few tips to inspire your creativity.
and tis is the stip to make lovely rocks as garden :
Step 1
Find rocks that aren't factory cut. This can be a bit challenging, but will give your one-of-a-kind set of stairs their sculptural value. Choose rocks that are as flat as you can find, and about as wide as the adjacent path leading up to them. It is good if you can find ones that are also at least a foot deep, but preferably more.
Step 2
Dig a flat area out of the slope in which to place your first step, starting at the bottom of your staircase. Dig this area to fit the contour of the base rock, which should be the largest.
Step 3
Check the level of the ground on which you will place the base rock--side to side and front to back. If it is leaning immensely one way or the other, scrape it as flat as possible with a short section of 2-by-4.
Step 4
Place your base rock and set the level on it to see if it needs more adjusting. Working with uncut rocks, your steps aren't going to be as pristinely level as if you were building with cut granite slabs or concrete steps, but you can get them relatively flat. Your rock may need a little more dirt added under one of its sides to bring it more level.
Step 5
Dig the next flat area out of the slope for the next rock stair, above the base rock. You will need to dig into the slope far enough so that the next rock fits behind the base rock, while overlapping it by at least an inch to cover the back of the step below it.
Step 6
Repeat the leveling and placing for the second rock, and continue for as many rock steps as you need to complete your rock garden stairs. You may wish to add some plants to further integrate the stairs into your garden. As Nicholas Klise writes in "Rock Garden Design and Construction," garden steps can be discreetly planted with tiny perennials or mosses as long as the result does not impede walking. These plants must be very low and their growth controlled so they don't obstruct or visually interrupt the movement of walking up the stairs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
what is lawn alternative?
Groundcover :These are plants which spread across the ground but do not grow tall, so no cutting is required. Areas planted in groundcover need little to no maintenance. Groundcovers are usually chosen for texture, density and how well they spread and choke out the weeds. They enhance the soil by acting as a mulch, and some groundcovers are nitrogen-fixing
Clover :Clover is often planted by gardeners as a soil conditioner. It grows quickly and easily, chokes out weeds and is easily 'turned in' to the beds when planting time draws near. The deep root system reduces soil compaction. Clover is also a nitrogen-fixing plant, which enriches the soil with natural fertilizer.
Ornamental Grasses:You can convert part of your lawn to a display of ornamental grasses. These grasses are low maintenance and grow well in most soils. They seldom require fertilizer, and have few pest and disease problems. Ornamental grasses are also drought-resistant and low maintenance. When choosing ornamental grasses for your yard, consider the characteristics of each variety
Flowers/Shrubs:Flower and shrub beds can be strategically located to add color and interest while expanding the "low maintenance" areas of your yard. Terraced beds are a good solution for sloped areas which are difficult to mow. Beds of shade-loving varieties can be planted beneath trees with low-hanging branches or protruding roots which cause mowing problems.
Lawn Shape :Large lawns, and especially golf courses, require large amount of herbicides and chemical fertilizers to maintain their condition and appearance. The impact on the environment is considerable.
No comments:
Post a Comment