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| Man-made | 19% | 70 votes | Total: 377 votes | |
| Natural | 81% | 307 votes |
Man-made
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Add to FavoritesUse for use, man-made stone is a superior landscaping material compared to its naturally occurring counterpart. A well-designed yard may embody a certain aesthetic appeal, but the underpinnings of landscaping are starkly functional. From retaining walls to pathways, stone use in landscaping provides the transition from one area to another. For the scope of this discussion, I am focusing on the benefits of man-made stone in constructing walkways.
In terms of pathways, concrete is the most ideal. The material is relatively cheap, relatively easy to use, and most importantly-durable. Unlike a walkway composed of river rocks or locally found stones, concrete is poured smoothed and is weather resistant.
Compared to other, more natural pathway materials like pebbled stone, concrete is simply easier to use and maintain. One type of pebbled-stone path involves loose rock packed in walkway frame. Although simple to construct, the shifting stones provide element of resistance to foot traffic and yard equipment with wheels like wheelbarrows. With a pebbled walkway, the landscaper also runs the risk of loose stones being casted on to a lawn, which can be dangerous when mowing. Another variation on is a fixed stone path where both pebble and larger stones are employed. However, with this style, the landscaper must contend with the grout between stones, succumbing to the elements. For example, grout can crack after a hard freeze and than weeds would grow in the break.
Another style of pathway is the garden steps, a series of stones connecting two areas. In designing this walkway, pre-fabricated stepping rounds offer the same appeal of their natural alternative but with the uniformed consistency that can only come from an engineered product. Where natural rocks have a holistic appeal of being pulled from nature to be placed in an earthy settling, manufactured stepping rounds offer the aesthetic and the functionality of being flat, which adds a level of safety, so less risk of slipping.
An additional dynamic to consider before choosing between natural and manufactured stone is eco-impact. Sure, a short retaining wall or walkway made of river rocks can add a tasteful splash of rustic appeal to any garden area, and in most rural areas, rocks are easy find and essentially free. In rivers, fields, yards, rocks are commonplace; however, in major population centers, randomly loose stones are somewhat lacking. Without a wealth of options, landscapers must choose between manufactured stone or quarrying for the rocks.
Ironically, the more nature is stripped for landscaping needs, the more impact people make on their surroundings, and the more those surroundings need to be landscaped. The cycle itself seems counterintuitive to the notion of recreating nature in the backyard through landscaping. Although clearing away elements of nature has a tangible effect, the excavation of flagstone and other materials is a geology event. In addition to cutting into the earth to pull out materials, the produce also has to be shipped from one destination to another.
Furthermore, the term itself "man-made stone" makes manufactured stones sound fake. As if, a stone is only truly a stone if it is conceived under nature's direct auspice. Bricks are a prime example of manufactured stones in the lumberyard.
Although I love the curb appeal and beautification that landscaping brings to the common-area courtyard of my apartment building, I appreciate the smooth concrete path leading to my front door. Trust me pushing a hand-truck over a pebbled pathway is far from fun.
Learn more about this author, Rebekah Mobley-Kasner.
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Natural
Natural rock is better than man-made stone for several reasons. First, if you have access to rock and an imagination the possibilities are endless. Natural rock is usually less uniform but different kinds of rocks can be used for different projects. Second, if you are only gathering a few rocks here and there as you find them they are free for the taking. Unless you live in the middle of a big city you probably have access to this "free" rock and if you have ever priced rock, either natural or man-made, you will find that both will be spendy. And finally, the best reason of all is that by searching for "free rock" you become a rock hound.
By collecting a few rocks that catch your attention wherever you travel you will be able to turn your landscaping projects into a series of smaller projects that are easier to complete, add instant beauty, and leave a feeling of accomplishment. For access to free rock go for drives on rural, farm or mountain roads where traffic is minimal. Always carry a bucket in your vehicle for the rocks you find. Have your passenger's watch the road ditches for rocks that have rolled down the hillsides. Always be a "safety first," responsible rock hunter. That means making sure there is a place to pull over safely when you spot some "possibilities."
Exam ine the area carefully for safety hazards and be aware of such dangers as other falling rocks, holes and uneven ground. Know the area and whether any poisonous snake or insect may be waiting under that rock that caught your attention. It may be wise to wear a hard hat, good gloves, and carry a walking stick that helps with balance on uneven trails and can be used to turn over rocks from a distance. Watch for rocks that "talk to you" with regards to the project you want to do. Use common sense and follow any posted rules or notices.
In other words, in National Parks where it says do not remove any natural material that means rocks as well as plant life. If a ditch is lined with rock for runoff purposes leave it alone but if the rock rolled into the ditch and is waiting for a county crew to remove it then no one will care if you take it. Many times farmers will let you on their property to pick up rocks, if you get permission first. You can also get permits to remove natural rock product from state and public lands in larger quantities but usually you can collect a few here and a few there without requiring a permit. If in doubt, ask? Nothing ruins a good rock hunting day like finding a great spot and then finding out you can't bring the one's you found home. Once you start by watching those ditches, you'll find other places, as rock is everywhere. Every hike you take will bring at least one more rock home for your collection and if you show enthusiasm to your friends, they will begin bringing you rocks from places they visit. Now that you have started collecting natural rock, what do you do? As varied as the rocks you can find out there is what you can do with them. I think a good place to start is with a small rock garden.
Remove the sod and put down some heavy black plastic so that weeds don't grow in your garden. Look for flat sided or shale rock to make an edge, then just clean and place your new treasures and watch your rock garden grow with every adventure. Once you have collected a sufficient number you can begin by edging one flowerbed. Again the flatter ones work better for edges and the ability to weed eat up to the edge. Use the round rock to make patterns or circles around trees and large shrubs. Large flat rocks can be buried and make great pathways. After you complete one project you will think of other places where natural rock can increase the beauty and value of your home. I live in an area that has beautiful white, amber, and red agates.
These are bright and shiny and when you hold them up to the sun you can see through them. These are always "keeper's" and never "leaverites" (leave it right where you found it) no matter how small. I usually put my agates in a different container than my other rock "finds of the day." I take these home and fill my glass vases with them and put them in my window to catch the sun; I polish some of them and use them to border picture frames and other crafts; I put the bigger ones on top of other rocks in my rock gardens; and have even put an agate trim around a couple of windows inside my house and in between the railings on my stairs. It looks really cool too!
I have completed a few other projects with natural rock that I am very proud of. First, with some help from a good friend, we dug a big hole in the ground about two feet deep in the middle and slanting up to the outside edges. We then placed an old black metal mesh satellite dish in the ground and poured concrete over it. We then placed different colors of river rock into the concrete. Once that was cured we built forms and poured two-foot walls in a hexagon shape around the circle. When that was done I attached flat pieces of shale around the outside walls and ceramic tile and solar lights around the top. Then we bought a fountainhead and a pump and now we have really cool fountain that is so nice to relax next to on warm summer days.
This idea worked so well we used the same theory with an old bathtub at the other end of our home, only this is a smaller version, has a waterfall instead of a spray fountain, and is surrounded by flower beds, yes, edged with rock. My main rock garden is six feet wide and forty-five feet long and is filled with natural rock in all shapes, sizes, colors, and from numerous states. I have done all of these natural rock projects for a couple hundred dollars (water pumps, black plastic, and mortar) and in the process had hundreds of hours of adventure looking for those perfect "natural rocks."
Learn more about this author, Marvina Randle.
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