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Whether you are looking for an aesthetic or holding back a hill, choosing the right material can add value and function to your property. Rocks are everywhere in nature and can be used many different ways around your home. A retaining wall can give you more usable outdoor space as well as battle erosion. When placed around a pond, it has visual interest, provides a place for you to sit, and there is little to no maintenance with less area to mow and weed!
Structures constructed of natural rock will remain timeless. It is a material that has been used for thousands of years with many still stand today. Rocks were used as fencing, fortifications, to mark boundaries and roads, channel water, shelters for a simple wind break or a castle, and much more. Today, we are still using rock for many of the same purposes.
On our property we were looking to level a field, landscape more naturally, add areas of interest, and attract local wildlife. Using local rock, we achieved those goals. Here are a couple important features we have around our 10 acres.
This pond is surrounded by a circular driveway, featuring local granite and basalt rock that creates a beautiful, natural centerpiece. It is a favorite spot for the local deer to hang out, birds to bathe, and frogs to sing. A blue heron makes a regular appearance so there are no fish in this pond. This area gets plenty of visiting wildlife making it an entertaining as well as a functional addition.
Our rock wall of mossy local basalt was installed about 30 years ago. Instead of uneven and rolling terrain, the retaining wall was placed to make room for a level field, driveway, and shop. By having the area below the road, it helps minimize the sound from traffic above with the rocks securely holding the earth behind it.
The office dogs, Boogie and Molly, enjoy being able to take a break during the work day to explore and stretch their legs. They race through the field, jump up on the turf behind the rocks, track the wildlife that passed through, and roll in the grass. These pictures were taken in late February before all the greenery and wildflowers emerged.
