Walls, Water & Walkways: Three landscape projects worth thinking about before the PNW gets wet.

September is an interesting month in the Pacific Northwest.

Summer is still hanging around, but the mornings are cooler, the days are getting shorter, and the first signs of fall are starting to show. It also means we're heading toward the season we know very well around here: rain.

Before the ground gets saturated and outdoor projects become considerably less pleasant, fall is a good time to take a look around your landscape. Maybe there's a slope you've been meaning to address, an area where water collects every winter, or a pathway that becomes a muddy adventure every time it rains.

Rock and aggregate can play a surprisingly important role in all three. So before the clouds settle in, let's talk about walls, water and walkways.

Cutie playing in the mud! YAY for rubber boots!

Walls: Adding Structure to Your Landscape

Rock walls can do a lot more than create a pretty border around a flower bed. Depending on the project, a wall can help define different areas of a landscape, create planting spaces, work with changes in elevation, frame a pathway or add structure to a slope. Even a relatively simple garden wall can give a landscape a much more finished appearance.

Natural stone is particularly nice for these applications because no two pieces are exactly alike. Differences in size, shape, color and texture give the finished wall a natural character that fits into the surrounding landscape.

Of course, not every wall is built the same way. A low decorative garden wall has very different requirements from a taller retaining wall holding back soil. The height of the wall, the slope, the soil conditions and what is behind the wall all need to be considered when determining how it should be constructed.

Drainage is another important part of the equation.

When water collects behind a wall, it can add pressure to the structure and contribute to problems over time. Proper drainage, a suitable base and appropriate construction techniques are important considerations when building a wall that is intended to last.

So while choosing the rock may be the fun part, it's worth giving some thought to everything happening underneath and behind it, too.

Beautiful NW Gray Stone Wall, photo credit: Pahlisch Homes Inc.

Water: Give Runoff Somewhere to Go

If you've lived in the Pacific Northwest for more than five minutes, you've probably discovered that water has a mind of its own. It finds the low spot, follows the easiest path and, if there isn't one, it will happily make its own. That can lead to puddles, muddy areas, erosion and water collecting where you really don't want it.

Rock and aggregate can help manage some of these problems by directing water, creating stable drainage areas and protecting soil from erosion. One popular option is a dry creek bed, which gives runoff a defined route through the landscape while also creating an attractive garden feature.

Larger stones and boulders can define the edges, while smaller river rock and gravel fill the center. Plants along the sides can soften the look and help the creek bed feel like a natural part of the landscape. Drainage rock can also be used in less visible applications, such as drainage trenches and systems designed to move water away from structures or problem areas.

The important thing is choosing material based on what the water needs to do, rather than simply choosing the prettiest rock. Different sizes and types of rock serve different purposes, so start by figuring out where the water is coming from, where you want it to go and how you want the finished area to function.

Don't start with the rock. Start with the water.

French drain or dry river bed? They both work beautifully to redirect the flow!

Walkways: A Better Way to Get Around

Gravel, rock and flagstone can all create practical, attractive paths through a landscape. Gravel works well for everything from garden paths to side-yard access, while flagstone provides a more defined walkway with the natural character of stone.

Like any hardscape project, the preparation underneath matters. Depending on the location and intended use, the soil may need to be excavated and a compacted base installed before the finished material goes down. Crushed rock and minus materials can create a firm base, while decorative gravel or flagstone provides the finished surface.

The fun comes with choosing the look. Different colors, shapes and textures can change the character of a path, and larger stones can be used as edging to tie it into the surrounding landscape.

The result is a walkway that's practical, good-looking and, most importantly, a lot less muddy than the shortcut across the lawn.

Flagstone pathway in a space that would otherwise be muddy in the rain.

Why Think About These Projects Now?

Fall isn't necessarily the end of landscaping season around here. Cooler temperatures can actually make outdoor projects more comfortable, and it's a good time to address some of the problems that became obvious over the summer. Maybe you've noticed where water collects, a slope that's starting to erode, or a muddy spot you find yourself stepping around every time you take out the trash.

Before the wettest part of the year arrives, take a walk around your property and pay attention to how water moves, where people naturally walk and where your landscape could use a little more structure. Fall is a good opportunity to make those changes while the weather is still cooperating.

Sometimes the answer is simply giving water a better route. Sometimes it's a wall, a walkway, or a combination of the two. A little planning now can make your landscape work a whole lot better when the rain arrives.

Low maintenance space with boulders, river rock & evergreen plants

Putting Rock to Work

Good landscaping isn't just about making a yard look beautiful. It's also about understanding how the landscape works. Where does water go? Where does soil need to stay? Where do people need to walk? Where does the landscape need a little more structure?

Rock can help answer all of those questions, from a carefully built wall to a thoughtfully designed drainage feature to a simple gravel path through the garden. Fortunately, you don't have to wait until spring to start thinking about it.

The rain is coming. Might as well give it a plan.

If you're planning a project and aren't sure what material makes sense, stop by Sundance Rockery with your measurements, photos or even a rough sketch. We're always happy to talk through the possibilities and help you figure out where to start.

Rock Solid, Every Time. 👣

1775 NE 164th Ave • Vancouver, WA 360.891.7845

www.sundancerockery.com

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Don't find yourself in this mess again this year!