The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
American Rock Gardens
Construction
THE site is chosen, the stones are coming in a cart or on stoneboats, the soil has been made ready in piles, and the plants have been ordered. Now to work. First question, when is the best time of year to make a rock garden? The rocks and soil may be handled at any time except when the ground is frozen, but the summer months offer the longest period of freedom from planting rush, and then the soil is dry and easily handled. Then there will be autumn rains to make the soil firm and winter frost to settle the rocks; and planting can best be done the following spring.
The first operation is to dig off the existing topsoil (the first foot of earth) and remove the roots of all weeds and grasses. Much of this soil may be used in backfilling if all roots are sifted out. On this base the large bulky rocks should be laid, each packed around with soil, well rammed, and topped by several chinker stones before the next are put into place. As the program for procedure has already been arranged, the work of laying up the rocks can proceed.
Now is the time to worry over the details of the outline of the structure. While the general shape of the area may be decided in advance and even a plan may be at hand to give the principal elevations and major masses, the details of the shape of each crag and ravine must be decided as it is constructed. The aim is to give the greatest variety in configuration in a small compass, with an appearance of geologic truth and yet make the best possible home for each plant. For the best growth of many rock plants it is well to separate the groups by little walls of stones, making a pocket for each. Not only are they thus separated, but the plant roots will fol- low down the cool rock faces and withstand the rigors of summer and winter more safely. These pockets vary in size and shape, slope and relation to the sun, thus giving infinite variety in detail to the face of the garden. It would be best that the planting for each area be fairly definite in mind as the pockets are constructed. Though a detailed planting plan for a rock garden cannot be made on paper, the general arrangement of the plants should be decided as the construction proceeds. See Chapter XI.
Surface drainage is another worry at the time of construction. Most of the rock garden has sufficient slope to carry off excess rain. Too of ten the little valleys become canyons worn by cloudbursts, when soil and plants are washed away.
