topic Re: Overgrown rock wall in Garden

Overgrown rock wall

Lilysmom — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:01:26 GMT

I live in a development that used to be farmland. On my property there is an old rock wall made up of granite boulders that is grown over with matted grass, blackberry brambles, etc. I would like to clean up this wall as I think there is huge potential for garden interest. I know there is no way to do this by hand. It is hard packed debris and the wall is long. I am thinking of using the high pressure washer. I am a bit concerned about this as I have cleared one large granite boulder and now when it rains, rather than having moss and growth absorb the water, it has created a wet spot I didn't anticipate. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions for me? I am open to all ideas. TIA. LM

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Lilysmom — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:41:20 GMT

Anyone???

Re: Overgrown rock wall

terrier3 — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:44:52 GMT

Do you have a picture?

I think it's tough to describe...

It's the growth that is probably holding the stones together...a power washer could make a real mess...but tough to say w/o a pic.

Re: Overgrown rock wall

scotnovel — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:49:16 GMT

Is it in an area where you can safely do a controlled burn and burn off the debris/plants, then pressure wash the boulders? The area I currently live in is slightly rural and we can do limited controlled burns during certain months.

Once clean, I would plant trailing ground cover or mosses which should help control the water flow.

If you have a local nursery they might be willing to look at it and give you some advice on what to do especially if you buy plants from them regularly.

Hope that helps.

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Lilysmom — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 23:24:59 GMT

Thanks for the replies. I do have photos but don't know how to load. Will try to figure out how. The boulders are very large granite type boulders, some as big as a lawn chair. The dead grass and brambles are on top. The sides are somewhat moss covered and I will leave that alone. The burning idea is interesting. We live on a two acre lot on a lake. We just finished burning some trees we cleared last year down by the lake. I don't think I would burn this close to the house. Also, the growth is not that heavy so I am thinking I might try a boulder or two and see what the result is. If I can figure out how to load a photo, I will. It would make our discussions easier for sure. Thanks for the feedback. LM

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Lilysmom — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 23:59:20 GMT

Try this link ... http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/Garden537/slideshow/

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Lilysmom — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 14:52:39 GMT

Bump. See the post above for link.

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Hoovermom — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 15:40:10 GMT

I tried to upload the link but it said it was "private". Sorry but I cannot help you, wish I could.

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Lilysmom — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:45:41 GMT

Hoovermom, thanks for trying!!! I changed the privacy settings. Hopefully it works this time........ http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/Garden537/slideshow/

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Hoovermom — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 17:44:22 GMT

Your garden areas are beautiful. At one time I had a landscape company come out and give me ideas for my property which included their installation charges. I did do some of what they proposed (that way I did not feel like I had taken advantage of them), but some I did not do with them. This way you could pick and choose what you think will work. Good luck!

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Lilysmom — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 20:29:29 GMT

Hi again Hoovermom. Glad you could see the photos. We have extensively developed gardens on our property but I have left most of this wall untouched. To the left of this area is a stone patio we had done about five years ago. I don't need another patio. Now that most of our other jobs are done, I have been looking at this one for two years wondering what to do with it. I don't want another high maintenance area but I would like to clean this up. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Re: Overgrown rock wall

terrier3 — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 21:28:20 GMT

I see what you mean now.

It looks more like a bunch of rocks left over from construction vs. a real fence.

Maybe ivy...ivy grows fast and will cover it soon (half my house is covered with ivy). Or climbing hydrangeas?

There is so much dirt on the wall that it might be easier to go with it and use it as a medium for something that climbs.

The other two pictures are BEAUTIFUL....I see why you want to finish everything off.

Re: Overgrown rock wall

IamMrsG — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 21:37:02 GMT

Have you considered creeping phlox?

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Lilysmom — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 21:43:00 GMT

Hi Terrier3. I have used ivy on the other side of this bank where I wanted to cover some ugly gravel. It does that job well but I do want to keep it away from the trees. I don't really want to cover these rocks. I think I would like to expose them. I don't mind moss either but I don't want the weeds growing out of the top as it is now. One idea I had was to clean up the top, place landscape cloth over the boulders and fill in with medium sized river rock. Also, I thought about doing something similar at the base to build on the rock wall idea. The daunting task is getting started. I think I might try to use a vinegar solution to kill the vegetation on top of a couple of the boulders and then power wash. What do you think? By the way, loved the photos of your entry way to your home. Gorgeous. Thanks for the input. Open to all ideas. LM

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Lilysmom — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 21:50:13 GMT

IamMrsG, thanks for your reply. I find when I use creeping phlox, which I love, I have a problem with weeds coming up through it, especially grass. Is there a dense ground cover that is not invasive that would work in this semi shady area? I wonder how ground cover would survive in zone 5 tough winters with rock at the base? Do you think it would freeze and die? Maybe a test planting would be a good idea? LM

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Lilysmom — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 21:53:37 GMT

TERRIER, do you think I could plant the climbing hydrangeas behind the rocks where there is soil and have them drape over the wall? What a good idea. I love hydrangeas but don't know anything about the climbing ones. That would solve my problem of not planting on rock? LM

Re: Overgrown rock wall

terrier3 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 00:04:36 GMT

On 4/28/2014 Lilysmom said:
TERRIER, do you think I could plant the climbing hydrangeas behind the rocks where there is soil and have them drape over the wall? What a good idea. I love hydrangeas but don't know anything about the climbing ones. That would solve my problem of not planting on rock? LM

I love climbing hydrangeas!

I don't have any myself, but my neighbor has some on a brick wall in front of his house. The hydrangeas have been there for over 50 years and are thriving.

Like ivy, they send out "feelers" that dig into the stone and anchor themselves in place. The plants near me are on both sides of the wall, but they haven't ever been pruned or trained (I've lived in this neighborhood for 30 years and they have always been there.) The blossoms smell fantastic too!

I'll try to see if I can get a Google Earth picture.

Re: Overgrown rock wall

ennui1 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 08:21:31 GMT

On 4/27/2014 Lilysmom said:
The burning idea is interesting. We live on a two acre lot on a lake. We just finished burning some trees we cleared last year down by the lake.

Why did you move out there?

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Allegheny — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 20:38:37 GMT

Can anyone explain to me how I can view Lilysmom photo bucket pictures. I don't know how and would love to see it?

Re: Overgrown rock wall

Lilysmom — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:01:25 GMT

Allegheny, if you copy the link in post number 8 into your browser that should take you there. Sorry about the photobucket business. It's the first time I have used it so I'm not very good at it. Any ideas appreciated!!! LM