If you are one of those individuals who are able to appreciate the natural beauty that Mother Nature gives us you will surely be one that loves the look of Natural stone. It's not only class looking but regardless of the quality or type of stone tiles you use for flooring you will notice how it retains heat during the cold winter months and helps to keep things cool during the summer. Aside from having natural beauty the stone also has no chemicals or toxins which may cause allergies. The features and qualities of different stones will vary from one to another while many have vivid colours. Those who like the look of Natural stone like it because of the soft textures and tones that it provides. You can use it for flooring, patios, and more. If you are looking to give your landscape or kitchen a new look you can do so by changing it to natural stone. Some of the most common types of natural stone that users prefer is bluestone, sandstone tiles, and slate tiles. There are more and more individuals choosing to use Natural stone for their home because they like the classy look and feel it gives their home. This type of stone can complement any type of environment so it makes the perfect choice for when you are updating your home. With the world being burdened by the effects of many products and toxic chemicals it's nice to be able to experience something of such natural beauty, class and uniqueness. Even though natural stone carries such an elegant look it's very affordable when compared to other high dollar stone. With that being said there are more and more home owners who are opting to use natural stone in their home.

Natural stone is normally used as materials to pave patios and pathways. It has become even more popular because of the versatility that it offers when it comes to materials and the wide range of textures, shapes and colors. Natural tone landscaping is no longer just for the wealthy since it has become more affordable and can now be incorporated into different styles of landscape design including formal, classic and rustic. If you are planning on upgrading your landscaping but wasnít sure if you could afford to use what the rich is using you will be happy to know that Natural stone is becoming very affordable. Even those on a budget can create a beautiful landscape design using natural stone. Some of the most common examples of natural stone usages include crushed rock, pavers and cobblestones for driveways and walkways, cut stones, Belgian blocks and flagstones. The actual price for the Natural stone will vary depending on where you purchase it from the area that is originated. Natural stone landscaping can be purchased even on a budget and is ideal for covering different types of grounds and turning surfaces into a pleasurable place to look at. Other common uses for Natural stone is steps, driveways, benches, patio decks others. If you are planning to do natural stone landscaping the choice of stone used will depend on the intended use. For example, entryways, entertainment and entryways should consist of smooth surfaces that will be safe for high trafficked areas and daily foot wear. However, be sure to choose natural stones that are not slippery so you do not lose traction when they get wet. Smooth natural stones are great for patios, garden areas and other areas that are on level ground. If you plan on using them in an eating area be sure that the stone is not porous or will not absorb stains and oils.

Making a first impression is important and that is exactly what your entranceway is, the first impression of your house. A lot can be done to spruce up your entranceway, but natural stone is becoming a popular choice. Natural stone is available every size, shape and color imaginable. No matter how much room you have to work with at your entranceway natural stone can be accommodating. Stone has a natural beauty that will fit in with any architectural style. If placed properly natural stone can even highlight certain key features or emphasized the color scheme of your home. A very attractive way to utilize natural stone is to use it as a border for flowers planted along your curb or driveway or even placed strategically in different sizes and hues. Larger sizes of stone are always very eye catching. Something as simple as placing several pieces of natural stone of medium to large size at intervals along a sidewalk or driveway will change the whole look of an entrance way. Extremely large pieces of stone are not practical and probably won't add appeal. Natural stone can also be found in odd shapes that can be used to present a kind of "different" effect for visitors to admire. These natural stone pieces should be placed alone or in pairs. More than a couple of shaped stones will only detract from the beauty of the pieces and they would just look awkward. Many natural stone pieces will even have "fossils" that show on the outside of the stone. This type of stone is attractive but also will incite an "interest" for visitors or passersby. There are many ways to dress up one's yard and home but often the entranceway or curb is forgotten but as I said in the beginning of this article; first impressions are important. So use natural stone to beautify your entranceway and help your home make a good "first" impression too.

Below is a new online product that can determine your Plant Hardiness zone by simly entering your Postal Code. The Plant Hardiness Zones map outlines the different zones in Canada where various types of trees, shrubs and flowers will most likely survive. It is based on the average climatic conditions of each area.
Compliments of GardensCanada.com

Typically an ideal spot for a rock garden is on a slope or naturally terraced area with rock formations already in place. However nature has not blessed every home with this perfect set up which means you will need to create an area from scratch using topsoil and rocks. This can be done most anywhere you choose against a wall or fence, along the house or back of a garage - this is where I had one of my rock gardens - having one within an existing garden would also look quite nice.

How Big Should It Be:
This decision of course is going to be entirely up to you taking into consideration how much time you have and how much space you have to work with. You may have seen pictures in magazines of very elaborate looking rock gardens with waterfalls or streams running through them and paths made up of large flat rock for walking. However, small, simply designed gardens look just as good and in the long run for many of use will work out better. This is especially true if you are making one from scratch, you need to consider the amount of time needed to build it and the cost factor as you'll be needing topsoil, rocks and plants. Remember the old saying we all head growing up "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach" well it applies here as well, start small and build up over time.

I've had rock gardens at two different homes both had to be started from scratch and both started out small. The first started small mainly because I'd never done one before, in fact it didn't start out to be a rock garden at all. It started as a flower garden right behind the garage, but the discovery of some Hens & Chicks at a local nursery changed everything. Which now leads to the next section, plants.

What Plants To Use
This type of garden is a little different from what you may normally be accustomed to - large plants with brightly colored blooms. Here you want plants that are relatively small, there are many low growing perennials available. And don't get to caught up in whether the plants has flowers or not, what your looking for is something to enhance and complement the rock clusters you've put together. Also don't limit your choices to just plants, small dwarf evergreen shrubs can also be used and will add another texture to the garden. In fact is space permits add a few larger shrubs to the back of the garden, which works as a backdrop to really put the rock garden in the spot light.

Examples of Plants & Shrubs:
Perennials
· Creeping Myrtle - green leaves with violet blue spring flowers
· Hens & Chicks - many varieties of color and texture
· Sedum - creeping in gold or red
· Phlox - creeping in pink, red, blue and white

Shrubs
· Juniper
· Dwarf Mugho Pine
· Birds Nest Spruce

Maintaining A Rock Garden:
Routine care like with any garden is needed. Cutting back leggy plants, dead heading any flowering plants, removal of any dead stems and dividing any plants that have become to big. Also like with all gardens water when necessary and feed occasionally. Putting down a thick layer of mulch will help during the hot summer to keep moisture where it belongs around the plants roots; this is also beneficial if you live in an area where winters are harsh.

To Add Decorative Accents or Not - Here's a Good Question:
Many articles and experienced gardeners will more than likely tell you that the addition of decorative accents is not necessary as the simple lines of plants and rocks is the decorative element. I on the other hand disagree, to me adding a little something like a small figurine, a mini birdbath or a tiny wind chime hanging from a miniature Shepard's hook only add to the beauty of the garden. However as with indoor decorating, a garden whether it is rock, flower or vegetable should express and represent the creative side to each individual gardener, so if you like the way something looks go ahead and use it.

Give Rock Gardening a try. Happy Gardening
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Jumbo Flag or sometimes as it is called Mega flag is a 3-4” thick piece of natural stone with a natural top and broken or guillotined edges. They range in sizes, however I usually prefer skid sized pieces 3’x 4’pieces that weigh approx 400 - 500lbs

It may be hard to understand that you can install a passive walkway using jumbo flag in about 1/3 the time it would take to install a paving stone walkway of the same size. The reasons are simple with a paving stone walkway you have to:
· strip the topsoil and excavate down 8” below final paver height
· remove fill off site
· compact and install a granular base
· install a fine granular leveling base
· install and cut the pavers to suit
· compact the pavers
· sweep in a polymeric jointing sand

As with a jumbo flag walkway you only have to do the following:
· strip off the topsoil to a depth of 3”
· start installing the jumbo flag pieces and spud bar them into final position
· sweep the topsoil fill from excavation into the joints of the stones




There are a variety of plant material options for infilling the gaps between the stones such as simply adding turf between the cracks flush with the top of the flagstones so a lawn mower can travel overtop effortlessly. Another option is the addition of Creeping Thyme between the stones. Creeping Thyme grows about two to four inches high and can spread up to two or more feet in width. The leaves are very small, but dense and cover the low growing plants. Foliage color varies in shades of light to dark green and the variety 'Woolly' thyme has attractive grayish foliage.



The leaf color of the other varieties seems to vary with flower color, the lighter flowering varieties have lighter foliages. Flower colors range in shades of lavender, red, rose, or white. They flower in the late spring and early summer. The plants flower so prolifically; you can hardly see the evergreen leaves below. Creeping thyme is an easy plant to maintain, as it does not tend to take-over and can easily be confined to a specific area.





I am interested in your comments on this Jumbo Flag tutorial

Window wells tend to be boring considering that homeowners do spend a great deal of time inside their house looking outside into the landscape. By adding an interesting terraced boulder wall with colorful plants injected into the nooks and crannies of the boulders you now have an inviting look. Because this involves installing a series of heavy stones in the vicinity of your basement wall there are some site preparation required before the stone is installed. Listed below is an order of operations:
· excavate10” below the window sill and remove fill
· drill a series of 6” dia holes down to a depth of 4’
· install 6” sono tubes and cut the top off flush with the excavated grade
· lay 2” of ridged styrofoam SM onto the grade
· using 2x4” lumber form to the outside of the boulder wall
· install rebar stirrups into the sono tubes and in a grid on top of the Styrofoam
· pour, place and broom finish the concrete 3000psi with air entrainment






Once the base is prepared the next step is to install the stones onto the concrete footing and taking care to batter the stones back greater than 8” each lift to allow for planting pockets and to make the wall blend in better. The purpose is not to make a WALL but to terrace back the landscape boulders to let a greater deal of light into the basement. Below are some pictures of finished installations





Window wells have always been the lost item to be detailed, most homeowners inset a metal flange to handle the difference in grade. However with this type of natural installation you will quickly see the aesthetic benefits in:
· increased light in the basement
· colorful view from downstairs
· interesting view from outside
NOTE: make sure there is a proper drain at the height of the window sill that drains down to the weepers or storm drains.

Comments appreciated

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Respectfully
The Natural Stone Team