Trailrunner - Don't be upset. I'm stuck on some things--I've been stuck 3 years and this year I'm gonna go for it. With decorating, I try something and it's not right and boom..who knows when or where, but I know how to fix it.

I think you are moving in the right direction in shifting to something more organic with "flow" rather than a straight line.

I'm not sure, but maybe the curve should be more significant? The good news is that you're not having to dig them in and out...only place them. So...give it a try and see. Or...just go with it, add some plants, and wait for inspiration?

That may not be the answer you wanted but my hope is that it makes you feel more relaxed about it. Good luck!

This is a difficult question to answer, Think jigsaw puzzle, when we did our rockwork, we laid the largest flat pieces on the bottom, then as we built up we kept trying pieces one at a time until they fit and looked right to us. Sometimes we had to add some dirt to make the rocks fit to our liking. Each row we did was slightly back from the one below and they were all staggered so the gaps didn't line up and no real jutty pieces were sticking out over the row below. It was slow work for us as we had never done this before. The same thing when we built our little waterfall for the Koi pool, I mean puddle, it was a struggle, I kept saying it doesn't look right, DH got annoyed and left in a huff, I kept at it until I was happy with it. All this is probably as clear as mud. LOL Back to what I first said think jigsaw puzzle. Take your time, you will get it just the way you want it. I know you can do it. By the way you've got some cool rock there.

A......

I would try out putting smaller stones on the bottom and a row of the largest on the top row, all with straight front edges instead of willy nilly as in your third and fourth pictures. Try to keep the longer edge of the stones facing the front evenly on the top row. The uneven back won't matter when it's backfilled. and the larger stones may create a flat, pleasing effect on the top.

A slight natural curve is good, scallops are bad. I had to reposition a third of my rock wall this spring when I figured out it was TOO curved.

Oh, about your pool wall with the windows: If you have any leftover brick, especially in kind of a terra cotta, try placing some atop your pool wall, placed like piano keys. See if that gives a finished edge to the top of the wall and ties it better to your terra cotta pots. (I saw that in a magazine. If it's a look you like, they look better when they're mortared.)

Nell

Ok I am going to get out there tomorrow with a better outlook and try again. I knew it would take time but I am in a rush as I want to get started with the rest of the bricks and I have to have this done first. Thank you all for giving me some sane advice ! LOL> I need it , Caroline

Here's a link to a good how-to. Scroll down to 'dry laid stone wall' and there's sketches.

'Capstone' is the word for putting large flat stones on the top to finish it off.

Several places I've read: 'one stone over two, two stones over one.' Sounds good, doesn't it?

Nell

Here is a link that might be useful: Stone Help

FoxesEarth hit it. Straight edges, especially along the bottom rows make a huge difference. Also, overlap each course. I use small - medium stones on the bottom, largest on the 2nd row and these need to cover parts of two of the bottom stones, and fairly large ones on top too. It is a balance. I make these little walls all the time and have gotten used to it over the years. I tell you, the first few really stumped me! I also dig a small and shallow trench to make my bottom stones lean slightly into the garden area, I use shards and little pieces to make everything flatten out as much as possible. Dry stacked stones have the tendancy to heave out after several years. Put them on a slight inner angle stops this from happening. You build dirt up behind it and that holds them in place, perfectly.

You can certainly do it, just give it another try! Those are great rocks.

GGG

I've not laid stone like this, but everything everyone is saying makes sense. You don't want to rush it for the sake of getting it done. This is going to be a backbone in your garden. Do it so it pleases you now, because once you start planting it's going to be a pain to redo it. That fence is going to be a beautiful foil to your new garden. One thing you might do is to choose some trellises and screw them onto the fence were you want your future climbers. The less you have to trample back on your beds down the road the better. I wish I would have had the foresight to do that a couple of years ago. You are going to have have one beautiful garden when this is all finished!

Nell and GGG thanks for all the tips on the dry rock stacking. I read that link and a couple others . I am going to start over and sort the rocks into piles and dig a shallow trench etc etc. I appreciate all the help.

Steven : I want to give you a special thanks for your insightful and calm focus on the project. You are so right. Step back and take the time to see it done right. I appreciate the comments on the fence. At first I cried when I saw it...so much wood ! But my DH said " it is like a new haircut ". He is right it is growing on me...now if things will grow on it I will be happy . What kind of trellises are you suggesting ? I still don't know what will do well there as the "feet " of all plants will be in shade cast by the fence since it faces easterly. but has so much else in the way..house etc. I will have to post when I get the bed ready to plant.

Thanks again to all . Caroline