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Slide 1: Dry Stone Gardening
Slide 2: Introductions Hello everyone, my name is Matthew Ring. – I am a UK Certified Intermediate Dry Stone Waller since 2004. – I have instructed with and am a member of the Dry Stone Wall Association of Canada. – I have also written several published articles on the subject and have a coffee table book coming out this month; “The Beauty of Dry Stone”.
Slide 3: What is Dry Stone? • Simply put, it is stone construction without the use of bonding agents. – No mortar – No glue • It is a building technique that takes time and patience; it cannot be rushed. • It is also very much Art.
Slide 4: What is Dry Stone • Common Questions – Is it difficult? No more so than any art form. Some have a natural knack for it while others struggle more. – What types of Stone can be used? Any stone can be used to build a wall. The stone type simply imposes certain limitations on what can be built. – How much stone do I need? There is 1 ton of stone for every three feet of wall. – How long does it take? A professional waller will complete between 6 and 10 linear feet of standard height wall in a day. This varies due to working conditions, stone type, what is being built, et cetera Anyone saying they can do more than 10 linear feet is either a very experienced waller or they are not building it properly. – Why use it instead of wood, concrete or brick? It will last longer, does not crack or rot and has an amazing ability to compliment nature and the colours of a garden. • Brief Lesson in History – Dry Stone Walling is a craft some 2000 years old. – The walls you see throughout the UK and Europe are from the 1500 to the late 1800’s. – Walls in Canada range in age and do include those over 100 years of age and greater.
Slide 5: A Bit of History
Slide 6: A Scottish Broch – entirely Dry Stone in construction
Slide 7: A Scottish Broch – The Double Walled Construction
Slide 8: A Scottish Blackhouse from the Ilse of Lewis
Slide 9: A typical random Dry Stone Wall with Vertical Coping
Slide 10: A beautifully coursed wall
Slide 11: Dry Stone and your Gardens • Why Should I? – – – – – – It ages beautifully and compliments nature. Accents plant colours providing a wonderful contrast. It never goes out of style with its old world look and feel. Little or no maintenance. Will last centuries; if built properly. Added value to your property. • What sorts of applications are there? – Retaining walls and Garden Beds – Free standing walls – Folley’s and Garden Accents
Slide 12: But How??? • Hire a Dry Stone Waller. – There are about 14 professional Waller's in Ontario. Three certified by the UK. – What about Landscapers? Although some are keen on learning and doing this type of work properly, there are unfortunately more that want to get in and out and on to the next job. Dry Stone construction cannot be rush. – Learn how yourself. – I will be giving lessons in the Fergus area given enough interest. – The DSWAC holds classes mainly on the East of Toronto.
Slide 13: Examples of Garden Applications
Slide 14: Before
Slide 15: After
Slide 16: Before
Slide 17: After
Slide 18: Before
Slide 19: After
Slide 20: Before
Slide 21: After
Slide 22: Before - note the railway ties and pressure treated lumber.
Slide 23: Before – sun beats down here and burned off a lot of plants
Slide 24: After
Slide 28: Before
Slide 29: After
Slide 30: After
Slide 31: A Cairn
Slide 32: Simple Garden Feature
Slide 33: Before – soil disturbed by landscaping caused the wall to shift. After – The 80 some year old wall is back in action!
Slide 34: After
Slide 35: Field Stone Wall – Entrance to property
Slide 36: Field Stone Entrance
Slide 37: Long Section of Field Stone Wall
Slide 38: Before – Note the neighbours junk to be hidden!
Slide 39: After
Slide 40: After – I should note that the neighbour cleaned up his yard so he could enjoy the wall as well!
Slide 41: Section of wall with Iron Gate
Slide 42: Terraces
Slide 43: A new look for the culverts!
Slide 44: Part of an entrance
Slide 45: You can contact Matthew at: 416 835 2900(cell phone) www.matthewring.ca matthew.ring@gmail.com