Raised stone garden beds are a beautiful and durable option for any backyard. With the right planning and preparation you can create stunning beds that will last for decades. In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about raised stone garden beds – from weighing the pros and cons to step-by-step instructions for building your own.
What Are Raised Stone Garden Beds?
A raised garden bed is a contained gardening area built above ground level. The “walls” of a raised bed hold in garden soil and allow you greater control over the planting environment. Raised beds can be made from a variety of materials like wood, concrete blocks, or bricks.
Stone is one of the most long-lasting options for raised garden beds Stone beds are constructed by stacking and mortaring various types of stone to form the sides of the bed. The most common stones used are granite, limestone, and sandstone Stacked stone has an organic, flowing look that can complement any landscape.
The Benefits of Raised Stone Garden Beds
There are many advantages to using stone for your raised garden beds:
Extreme Durability
Stone is arguably the most durable material for raised beds. Properly constructed stone raised beds can easily last 50-100 years or more Stone won’t rot, warp, or degrade like wood and held together with mortar, the walls are extremely sturdy This makes stone a wise investment for the long haul.
Natural Material
Stone is an all-natural material that feels right at home in any garden setting. The organic colors and textures of natural stone complement plants and don’t leach any chemicals into the soil. Using local stone can help your beds blend seamlessly with native landscaping.
Food Safe & Sustainable
You don’t have to worry about chemicals from pressure-treated lumber or preservatives leaching into edible gardens. Food grown in stone raised beds is completely safe. Stone is also very eco-friendly and sustainably sourced from the earth.
Versatile Design
Stone comes in a wide variety of types, shapes, sizes and colors. Mixing different stone textures and colors allows you to create raised beds in any style – formal modern, rustic cottage, tropical, southwestern, etc. Stacked stone beds have an inherently informal, flowing look.
Temperature Regulation
The thermal mass properties of stone help regulate soil temperature. Stone beds absorb heat from the sun during the day and slowly release it at night. This helps buffer plants against temperature extremes.
Weed & Pest Barrier
The solid stone sides prevent weeds and pests from invading your garden beds from surrounding grass and soil. Stopping weeds at the perimeter means less work weeding inside your beds.
The Drawbacks of Stone Raised Beds
Of course, there are also a few potential downsides to consider:
High Initial Cost
Quality stone and mortar work isn’t cheap, so raised stone beds are one of the more expensive options upfront. The cost depends on the type and amount of stone used. However, their exceptional longevity offsets long-term costs.
Weight & Installation
Stone beds require thorough planning and a strong base to support the weight of the stone. Soil may need to be amended to improve drainage. You’ll also want an experienced mason to properly construct the walls. Consider professionally installed beds if you lack DIY skills.
Permanent Placement
Since stone beds are so difficult to move once installed, it’s important to pick the perfect spot in your yard. Beds with mortared stone walls can’t be easily altered or relocated later. Be 100% confident in your layout before building.
Space Limitations
The thick stone walls take up more space than narrow materials like wood or metal. If maximizing square footage in a small garden is important, stone may not be the best fit. You can offset this by going with a single course of stone or dry stacking without mortar.
Choosing the Right Stone
Picking the perfect stone is key to both form and function. Consider these factors:
Stone Type
Common stones used for raised beds include:
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Granite – Very hard, durable, comes in gray, pink, white color variations. Withstands weather extremes.
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Limestone – Sedimentary rock, usually beige/tan but can be gray or rust colored. Naturally textured appearance.
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Sandstone – Sedimentary rock formed from compacted sand, common earth tone colors. One of the more affordable options.
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Fieldstone – A catch-all term for abundant local stones like granite, limestone, sandstone. Fieldstone has organic irregular shapes.
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Stacked Slate – Formed from compressed clay and silt, thin layers naturally split into sheets. Lovely shades of blue, purple, green, black.
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Quartz – Extremely hard silica mineral. Normally white or clear but can be other colors. More expensive but very durable.
Consider not just color but also texture, size, shape variation, and what is readily available in your region. Play around with different combinations for custom beds.
Local and Sustainable Sourcing
Using stone native to your area helps integrate beds into local geology and reduces environmental impact. Check suppliers for responsible stone sourcing. Whenever possible, use reclaimed stone.
Cost
Price varies greatly based on type of stone, size, quality, and source. Basic limestone or sandstone is generally the most budget-friendly. Unique imported stones and quartzes fall on the higher end. Factor cost into your design plans.
Weight and Installation
Smaller, flatter stones stack more securely and weigh less than larger irregular fieldstones. Ensure your base can support the total weight. Mortaring heavier stones together takes masonry expertise.
Planning Your Stone Raised Beds
Careful planning makes for successful raised bed gardens. Consider these tips:
Design
Decide on the size, shape, number of beds, and overall layout that fits your space. Keep in mind stone beds are difficult to move or alter once built. Scale your design to allow room for paths between beds.
Location
Choose a level, well-draining spot with full sun exposure (at least 6 hours per day). Check for buried pipes or wires before digging. Consider proximity to water and compatibility with home architecture and hardscaping.
Measurements
Standard raised bed dimensions are 3-4 feet wide and 8-12 feet long. Make sure your bed dimensions match the mathematical layout. Account for the thickness of your stone walls if maximizing planting space.
Materials
Calculate exactly how much stone and mortar you need for your beds based on dimensions and stone sizes. Order extra materials to account for breakage, mistakes, or changes in plans.
Base
Install a compacted gravel base (4-6 inches deep) before building stone beds. This ensures proper drainage under the weight of the stone. Level the gravel completely.
Reinforcements
Metal rebar stakes driven into the ground will reinforce the stone walls and prevent leaning or bulging over time. Follow recommendations for rebar size and spacing.
Building Your Stone Raised Beds
Once your plans are solid, it’s time for the fun part – bringing your beds to life! Follow these steps:
Set Corner Stones
Start by laying large keystone-shaped stones at each corner of the bed. Make sure corners are square. The bottom course should be buried for stability.
Fill Base Layer
Add a 4-6 inch gravel base layer inside the set cornerstones. Compact the gravel firmly before adding soil.
Level First Course
Lay the first course of stone around the perimeter atop the gravel. Use stones of similar height and level with a mallet.
Apply Mortar
Mortar joints between stones should be 1/2″ thick. Mortar gives the walls strength and stability. Follow mortar mixing directions carefully.
Check Level Frequently
Use a level tool often to keep the stone courses flat and even. Leveling the layers as you go prevents major problems down the line.
Continue Stacking
Stack subsequent courses of stone on top of each other, offsetting the seams between stones. Fill in gaps between stones with mortar. Insert rebar for reinforcement if desired.
Backfill With Soil
Once the desired height is reached, backfill inside with quality planting soil. Avoid soil with heavy clay. Add compost for nutrition.
Make Drainage Holes
Drill a few holes through the bed walls to allow drainage and prevent waterlogging. Line the holes with landscape fabric to block soil washout.
And that’s it – your durable raised stone garden beds are ready for planting!
Tips for Maintaining Stone Raised Beds
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Inspect beds periodically for mortar erosion, shifted stones, or soil washout. Repair issues right away before they worsen.
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Hand pull weeds when they first appear. Weed prevention is crucial since mortared beds can’t be disassembled for weeding inside walls.
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Add fresh compost before each growing season to replenish nutrients. Mix in slow-release organic fertilizer if needed.
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Control pests like snails and slug
We always knew we wanted raised garden beds built with rocks. I am sharing how we built them and what we learned along the way.
These days, it seems that everyone is talking about and having raised garden beds. There are so many advantages to them so that we finally decided to put some in our garden.
But we didn’t want to build them from wood or metal. I wanted them to blend into the garden of our 1910 Victorian shingle-style home. So we needed something else. Finding that solution is what kept us from putting them in for a while.
Now, I am so happy to report we did!
Why raised garden beds?
Before putting in raised garden beds, we wanted to make sure we were aware of the benefits. And the drawbacks because there are some.
Growing vegetables in garden beds help control weeds.
And because the garden beds are raised, it’s easier on your back and knees when it comes to planting, caring for the vegetables, and harvesting.
Since those beds are clearly defined spaces, nobody will be walking on soil. Veggies like fluffy soil, not compacted down by foot traffic.
It’s easier to put good soil into a frame instead of having to dig it into the existing soil at ground level. Amending the soil later is also easier.
good example of wooden raised garden beds
The big drawback is that they tend to need more water than if you planted vegetables in the ground. We decided that that wasn’t enough of a negative for us.
It can also be quite expensive depending on what material you end up using AND how many beds you build. Read on what we did …
Level Up Your Garden Bed with an Easy Retaining Wall
FAQ
Are stone raised beds good?
Stone Is the Most Durable Raised Bed Material
Stone is also food-safe and can often be locally sourced. Stone is definitely an investment and might not fit all raised bed budgets.
What is the best stone for garden beds?
- Pea Gravel.
- Lava Rock.
- River Rock.
- Flagstone.
- Cobblestone.
- Brick.
- Red Tipple.
- Decomposed Granite.
Is it cheaper to buy or build raised garden beds?
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Cost per square foot:Building your own raised beds typically costs much less per square foot than buying pre-made ones, especially if you can source scrap wood or use inexpensive materials like cinder blocks.
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Customization:Building allows you to tailor the size and design of your raised beds to fit your specific space and gardening needs.
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Labor vs. Cost:While building requires time and effort, the initial cost of materials is usually much lower than buying pre-made beds.
What vegetables should not be grown in a raised bed?
- Corn: Competes with tomatoes for nutrients when planted close together
- Potatoes: Can impact the growth cycle of tomatoes, which are planted later in the season
- Squash: Can get too large and take up too much space in a raised bed
- Mint: Can spread out above and underground, pushing out younger plants
- Fruit canes: Might not be ideal for raised beds
- Sprawling crops: Might not be ideal for raised beds
- Invasive herbs: Might not be ideal for raised beds
- Crops with large root systems: Might not be ideal for raised beds
How to build a raised garden bed?
A: Different types of stones are used to construct raised garden beds. These may include natural stones or bricks. The initial step is to choose the type of stone you prefer. Secondly, a flat foundation will be created by which the stones will be stacked on top of each other to form walls around the bed.
Where can I find stone for a raised garden bed?
A: Home Depot centers, landscape supply companies, and online marketplaces are some places to source stones for building your raised garden bed. However, the type of stone (natural, brick, or manufactured) will determine the best place to look.
Can you use stone as a raised garden bed?
Using stone as your raised bed building material may not be ideal if you only have a small space in your yard to give over to your kitchen garden. The sides of your stone raised garden bed will be thick, and while that’s great for durability, it’s not great for maximizing your available growing space.
Can a raised bed kitchen garden be made of stone?
Even a small-scale stone project—like a raised bed kitchen garden made of stone—would certainly make an impact in your backyard. When choosing materials for raised beds, we prioritize those that are natural, beautiful, durable, sustainable, and also affordable.
How to build a stone-raised garden bed?
The initial stage of constructing a stone-raised garden bed is through careful planning and design. The location is the first thing to think about. You should choose a place that gets plenty of sun all day, if possible, between 6 and 8 hours. The proximity to the water supply should also be among your considerations, as it makes watering easier.
Should a stone raised garden bed be thick?
The sides of your stone raised garden bed will be thick, and while that’s great for durability, it’s not great for maximizing your available growing space. You’ll ultimately sacrifice almost a foot of your total width and length of your bed to the raised sides alone.