March 28, 2024
MASTER GARDENERS: Rock gardens add beauty, style when done right

By Emmy Ulmschneider

and Debbie Roland

Learn Gardeners

In West Texas we have obtain to rocks. Rock gardens can be built up of any dimension of rock and the backyard garden by itself can be any form or dimensions. With all these various possibilities how do you know wherever to start off?

There are attractive gardens in our spot that use rocks together with hardscape and a wide range of native plants resulting in eye satisfying landscapes.

Here are the ways to place you in the correct way.

1. Back garden Layout. If you are starting up your first rock backyard garden attempt a check space 1st. If you like it, you can increase later. Attempt a 5’ by 10’ location. Steer clear of any spots that are near to trees. You really don’t want to damage roots by digging to put in crops.

2. Needing Inspiration. The finest way to get suggestions is to glimpse at existing gardens that you enjoy. Use local kinds, online, or magazines. You are hunting for issues you like and things you really want to stay clear of. Communicate to folks who have a rock back garden or perhaps can ship you to a person who does.

A rock backyard, or rockery, is a yard made with rocks, stones, and gravel, with acceptable planting. (Courtesy Photo)

3. Approach. Draw out what you want. You in all probability have some notion presently and it is significant to put that on paper. From time to time just drawing it can make you see if your placement is correct and what pitfalls you might have. Never forget that you will require entry to drinking water. Even even though you will be putting out drought tolerant crops, they continue to want some water. Appear into drip irrigation for this task. Be sure to verify and be confident that there are not any utilities less than your new bed.

4. Select the Rocks. Decide out the significant ones first that way you can operate all around them with your vegetation. They appear in unique colors so be conscious of that. When selecting the more compact rocks be absolutely sure the colors perform perfectly jointly.

5. Plants. Place your pots of native flowering crops right before you plant them. Their spot need to make you want to arrive in and acquire a closer appear. Massive grasses all-around the edges of big rocks will soften the landscape.

6. Generating the Garden. To start with position a pebble foundation then cover with sand. Considering that this will support with the prevention of weeds the thicker the layers, the improved. Leading this with topsoil. Plants that may need extra care need to be place in an place that is straightforward to accessibility. Incorporating seating to your yard offers you a area to loosen up and enjoy it.

7. Routine maintenance. The good detail about rock gardens is that they need small maintenance.

For additional facts, connect with the AgriLife place of work at 498-4071 in Odessa or at 686-4700 in Midland or stop by aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu or westtexasgardening.org.