How To Pick The Best Stone For The Garden.

Selecting Stone For The Garden

In this article about how to pick the best stone for the garden, I will go through the basic considerations for a few. As there is a long list of stone ideas for the garden. We will uncover more about others in later posts.

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Cast Stone For The Garden Comes In Many Forms

In the garden environment, extensive use of cast stone products happens. The benefits are not just the beauty of the pieces or the practicality, but the strength and durability should take first place.

Many different products, sizes and designs are available, either online or at a local garden center. Various sized planters, pots, urns are the most selected range of products.

Cast Stone Garden Planter.

People who have chosen terracotta or synthetic stone garden products only to be disappointed by how easily they get broken. Lawnmowers, landscapers, cars and children are just some of the potential reasons these types of products don’t survive. The weather can play a big part too, especially the cold and freeze-thaw cycles.

Any form of cast stone pot also stands the stresses and strains of moving home, arriving intact with plants, at your new location, and easily set up in place again.

Downsides.

The only real downside to cast garden products can be their weight, and the bigger they are, they most certainly will be heavier. If something feels very light then it’s probably not stone.

When Choosing Stone For The Garden.

When choosing stone for the garden, if you are going to be looking for large planters or urns. Make sure they have drainage holes which can also be used to connect an irrigation feed. It’s not too much of a problem they don’t come that way as you can make your own with the minimum of tools. But it is just another task that would have to be undertaken.

Creating Drainage holes.

A drill and masonry bits are all you need, depending on the size and capability of your drill, star with a smaller bit, and then use the bigger one, and just make several of these if your drill bits are not very big.

What Stone For The Garden is Available?

When choosing stone for the garden the choices are wide and very varied. 2 of the most popular products are Cast Stone bird baths and Cast Stone Outdoor fountains. There are some variations in what these products can be made which might still be suitable in certain environments and settings.

Water Features In Stone For The Garden.              

There are so many to choose from, in all shapes and sizes. Two points that may help you choose which is best for you

Services.

Yes, you could top your fountain up with a watering can or hose, but having water reasonably close is a plus. Electricity may be a little more difficult, especially with bigger designs. Many outdoor garden solar water fountains are available on the market today., but they only work in daylight hours and with less efficiency on cloudy days. Unless you install a battery backup as well. But Perhaps a slightly larger version, sourced separately for bigger models might be a consideration. More costs are involved in materials, but less expensive in the longer term.

For All Stone In The Garden Location is Important

Once you have thought through the services, location is your next task, depending on what your intended usage is in your plan, your front porch, or close to it would be perfect, when visitors stop by, the tranquil sound of cascading or trickling water would be heard.

Consider the fall time when so much debris could accumulate if under trees. Wherever you finally decide on, your fountain will need a suitable base or foundation.

Bases & Water Fountains.

It’s a very important step to make sure you have the right base in place for your fountain. The weight of the fountain, with the amount of water combined with the weight of the water needed to operate it makes up the total load. A gallon of water weighs in at 8.34Lbs (3.785Kgs).

Suitable Bases.

For many of the smaller fountains, any of the larger garden stepping stones would work perfectly.  For the bigger ones, a small concrete poured slab is needed.

Preparation.

Dig out any topsoil, and form a frame with 2 by 4’s or 2 by 3’s, a little bigger than your fountain base. Then make sure you put enough ductwork to the center position for most stone-tiered fountains and many others. For Electric and water supply, and you may even need an overflow pipe. It’s best to have more than less.  

Pour and finish your concrete and you will be ready to go.

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 Author Rob