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A Guide To Building A Great Looking Rock Wall Looking to add a new outdoor addition to your landscape? Rock retaining walls are an excellent way to add beauty and creativity to your outdoor space while also increasing your landscape’s practicality.  Here’s a step by step guide for how to build a rock wall at your home. How To Build a Rock Retaining Wall: Step by Step DIYing a rock retaining wall can be a fun project for homeowners. Here’s your intensive guide for how to build a rock wall, if you have any questions, give New Life Rockeries a call to speak with retaining wall contractors. 1. Choose Your Rock or Stone Choosing the right stone for your rock retaining wall is the first step to building an excellent outdoor addition. Find a local rock quarry and select a stone type that you think would work well in your outdoor space. You want to choose a type of rock that will stack well and is medium to large-sized. 2. Outline Your Spot The next step in how to build a rock retaining wall is to outline the excavation site. Use wooden or metal stakes to outline the spot where you’d like to build your retaining wall and run a string between two of the stakes to act as your guide and level. 3. Begin Building Your Rock Retaining Wall The first step to the actual building process is to dig a small trench up to 12-inches deep. You do this in order to create a level wall and a sturdy base. Lay the gravel foundation before beginning with your first layer of rock. Once you’ve laid the foundation of your rock retaining wall, make sure that you check that the first layer is level. 4. Build Your Rock Wall Higher Congratulations! The foundation of your rock retaining wall completed, work on building your wall higher. Stagger each layer that you add and check after each one to make sure that the wall is still level. 5. Complete Your Rock Retaining Wall Completing your rock retaining wall will be done with capstones which can be secured in place with a strong glue.  And voila! Your rock retaining wall is finished!   Related Article: Retaining Walls that Stand Their Ground Contact a Retaining Wall Installation Service  If you have any questions about how to build a rock retaining wall or would like to hire a professional landscaping contractor to build one for you, contact New Life Rockeries today.  Here at New Life Rockeries, we’ve been serving homeowners in and around Seattle for the past 30 years. We are passionate about landscape improvement and artisan outdoor work. We want to be the ones to bring new life and vibrance to your landscape through our work. Our team of landscape experts and retaining wall designers have experience working with a wide range of landscapes and outdoor spaces.  To get started improving your landscape, contact New Life Rockeries today. We’d be happy to work up a custom quote for your retaining wall project.

It is time to give your landscape a makeover? Having a rock wall installed is a simple, practical, and effective way to give your landscape an immediate facelift. Not only do rock walls match virtually every landscaping style, but they can also be installed in a minimal time frame and don’t break the budget.  As someone considering having a rock wall installed in your landscape, give New Life Rockeries a call for tips on how to choose the best rock wall design for you. Rock Wall Landscaping Ideas Hiring a professional rockery team means that in just a day or two, you could be enjoying a beautiful rock wall in your landscape. If you are eager to get started and make the addition to your outdoor space, here are rock wall landscaping ideas to get the creativity flowing. Staggered Rock Wall  Staggered rock walls add a sense of natural beauty to the landscape that they’re in. They can be made from any type of rock or stone depending on your preference. Staggered rock walls are usually installed not just for decorative purposes but also to prevent soil erosion. Rock Wall Backdrop Another landscaping idea is to have a rock wall installed to serve as a backdrop. Your rock wall could be a backdrop for a rock garden, flower bed, patio, or water feature.  Rock Wall Lining a Path Another landscaping idea is to have your rock wall installed to line a pathway. This rock wall could act as a barrier to prevent pets or guests from stepping on your grass or in flower beds that line the path. How a Rock Wall Benefits Your Landscape OR Reasons to Have a Rock Wall Installed in Your Landscape Rock walls are extremely beneficial to any landscape. Here are a couple of the biggest benefits of having a rock wall installed in your landscape. A Rock Wall Can Bring Your Landscape Together A rock wall might just be the thing you need to bring your entire landscape together. Rock walls act as a binding feature in what would otherwise be a disconnected landscape. If you are struggling to bring your landscape together in a cohesive design, a rock wall is the perfect addition to get it done. Rock Walls Create a Good Backdrop As mentioned above, a rock wall can make a good backdrop for your real landscape focal point. A rock wall will make whatever landscaping there is in front of it pop, which is helpful if you are trying to create a specific focal point. Rock Walls Serve a Practical Function in Your Landscapes Rock walls are often not only there for decorative purposes, but also serve practical functions. A rock wall might be installed to stop the erosion of soil from ruining your landscape or to aid with drainage issues. A landscape piece that improves practicality and boosts outdoor aesthetics is a good addition to any outdoor space. Contact a Rockery Landscape Service Today If you want a custom rock wall designed for your landscape, give New Life Rockeries a call. We’ve been in the business of rock wall design and installation for more than 35 years and we want to help you perfect your landscaping with a landscape contractor. To get a custom quote for your rock wall installation, contact us today!

Wondering what types of landscaping stones are available for you to use in your Seattle home’s landscape? You’ve come to the right place. For over 35 years, the rockery experts here at New Life Rockeries have been laying landscaping stone around Seattle.  Here’s a list of the different types of stone for landscaping that we recommend.  Different Types of Stone Used For Landscaping Here are seven of the most popular types of stone used in Seattle landscaping. If you have additional questions about any of the types of stone mentioned, give New Life Rockeries a call. New Life Rockeries is a Seattle landscaping contractor team that is ready to help you update your landscape. Pea Gravel This is made up of small pebbles of varying sizes and colors. It is one of the most common types of stone used in Seattle landscape designs and can be used in a wide variety of different landscape styles. Pea gravel can be used as a filler, in garden beds, or in patio designs. Crushed Granite This is one of the most common types of stone used in Seattle landscapes. It’s versatile, natural in appearance, and is most often used for walkways or driveways. In color, it’s often a light gray or slightly pinkish. River Rock  River rock can come in large or small sizes and are generally smooth in texture and found in a range of colors. This stone is popular in Seattle landscapes that are looking for a muted, natural, or beachy vibe.  River rock is used in rockeries, rock gardens, and pathways. Lava Rock This is an excellent type of stone that can be used in many different kinds of Seattle landscapes. Lava rock is usually coal-black or red in color and has a rough, porous exterior. It is a decorative material and can be used in rock gardens or pathways. Slate Chips Slate chips give Seattle landscapes an industrial, minimal look. Slate comes in various shades of gray and coal and can be an excellent choice for homeowners who enjoy contrasting outdoor elements.  Meramec A medium-sized stone, Meramec comes in varying shades of bronze, tan, and caramel and is a wonderful choice for landscapes that need texture. Meramec is a popular type of stone used in Seattle landscapes due to its irregularity in size and more natural appearance. Sandstone Sandstone offers Seattle homeowners a lot of variety. This type of landscaping stone comes in varying sizes, colors, and shapes. Due to being a softer stone type, sandstone may even be cut to desired shapes and sizes. Sandstone does well in many different kinds of landscapes but is especially appealing in urban and city landscapes.   Contact a Seattle Landscaping Service Today Ready to make the upgrade towards a new and improved landscape? Give New Life Rockeries a call today. Our team of landscape professionals would be happy to help you install a rocker or rock garden at your Seattle home. Contact us today to schedule a date for us to get started perfecting your landscape.

Alpine rockeries are an excellent landscaping solution for homeowners who want a low maintenance outdoor space. They are compact, aesthetically pleasing, and generally require very little upkeep. What is an Alpine Rockery? An alpine rockery is a landscape design that mixes rock gardens with alpine plants to form a low maintenance landscape. Alpine rockeries are the perfect solution for small outdoor spaces or homeowners who don’t have a lot of time for landscape maintenance. Alpine gardens are perfect for city residences as they don’t require excessive space or attention and still look wonderful.  What are alpine plants? You might be wondering. Alpine plants are those that were originally mountainous but have since been planted in all different types of landscapes. In general, alpine plants are evergreen, and so keep your alpine rockery bright all year round.  Some popular alpine plants include: Sempervivum  Sedum Lady Fern Kinnikinnick Deer fern And more! Alpine plants are the perfect way to deck out a rockery and are very versatile. Alpines come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and make the perfect addition to any rockery or garden. Another bonus to having an alpine rockery added to your landscape is that no matter what time of year it is, you will be able to find a store carrying alpines. Benefits of Having an Alpine Garden Installed Here are some of the best benefits of alpine rockeries in your landscape. Low maintenance: alpine rockeries require minimal watering and occasional weeding to make your outdoor space look trendy and fresh. Affordable: alpine plants are easy and affordable to come by. If you have a small garden, such projects are usually quick and low cost. Gorgeous in any landscape: whether you have a city residence or a suburb home, alpine rockeries make a fantastic addition to any landscape. You will never regret the simplicity, beauty, and earthy tones that an alpine garden can immediately accomplish in your landscape. Tips for Making an Alpine Rockery Here are several tips for how to make alpine rockeries. Choose a sunny spot: as mentioned, alpine plants are used to growing on sunny mountainsides. Alpine gardens don’t do as well in the shade, so it’s essential to choose a spot in your yard with direct sunlight. Check the drainage: alpines are naturally drought-resistant plants and do well in dryer climates. Check and make sure that the area where you are planting your alpine garden has good drainage and doesn’t flood during rainy seasons. Hire a professional landscaping service to design your alpine rockery: and this last tip brings us to: Contact an Alpine Rockery Installation Service At New Life Rockeries, we have more than three decades of experience helping homeowners design the perfect landscape. We are proud to offer quality landscaping, alpine rockery installation, and outdoor design services. If you have questions about having an alpine garden installed or want to get a quote from our team, give us a call today. Our team of landscape contractor professionals would be happy to help you design and install your alpine rockery dream. Contact us today to get your custom alpine rockery quote.

  Summer is the best time of year in the Pacific Northwest. For many homeowners, this means family get-togethers, backyard barbecues, and naps in comfy patio chairs. If you’re planning on hosting a lot this summer and want to make sure that your summer landscaping is on point, here are several summer landscaping tips and ideas so that you can have fun at gatherings and impress your guests with your outdoor space. Don’t Assume Your Grass is Getting Enough Water All too often, Washington homeowners make the mistake of thinking that because the climate is mild and rain is frequent that their lawn is getting enough water. This is not always the case though, and losing track of what the weather has been up to can result in your lawn becoming brown and dry. Replacing a dead lawn is a lot more work and far more expensive than taking a bit of time to water it when needed, so make sure to put lawn watering on your schedule. Pro landscaping tip: make sure that you don’t water your lawn during the hot time of day, but instead water in the morning or evening before the sun is at full strength. This minimizes evaporation and gives your grass time to absorb the water before the sun dries it all up.  Mow Your Lawn Correctly There are several tips you need to follow when moving your lawn during summer months. Make sure that your mower has sharp blades and is well maintained. An ill-maintained or dull lawnmower can do a lot of damage to your lawn. Take care to cut your lawn to the correct height. Most landscaping services recommend around two and a half to three-inch lawns during the summer months. Don’t cut your lawn too short. Cutting your lawn too short puts it at risk of weed infestation and browning from drought. Pro landscaping tip: try to mow your lawn in the morning before the sun has come up as this is the healthiest for your lawn and will yield the best results. Keep the Pests Away You can’t enjoy an evening outdoors when there are bugs and pests in abundance. Thankfully, there are certain hacks you can use to make your lawn and landscape less friendly to insects.  Certain plants such as lavender, rosemary, fennel, and marigolds can help repel mosquitoes. Another tactic is to dot your landscape with tiki torches to keep mosquitoes at bay. Contact a Summer Landscaping Service Near You If you need help preparing your landscape for this summer, give New Life Rockeries a call today. We have a team of summer landscaping contractor professionals who are ready to help you with sod installation, pathways, retaining walls, excavating, waterfalls, and more. We’ve been serving homeowners in the Pacific Northwest for over 35 years. We have the expertise and equipment to help you in getting your summer landscaping contractors all decked out and ready for this year’s gatherings. If you’re ready to unlock your landscape’s potential, contact New Life Rockeries for your summer landscaping quote today.

As a homeowner, one of the landscape topics that you hear discussed often is the question of retaining walls. Are they important? Should you have one installed? Understanding the purpose of a retaining wall and whether or not one would be beneficial to your home and landscape is more nuanced than it may at first appear. This article will help you understand the purpose of retaining walls, possible pros and cons to having one, and whether or not you should have a retaining wall installed at your home. What’s the Purpose of a Retaining Wall Retaining walls serve several purposes. Using it as a barrier can prevent soil erosion in homeowner’s yards. It can also assist with drainage issues in a landscape. Retaining walls might also be installed just for the purpose of being aesthetically pleasing in a landscape. Retaining Wall Pros and Cons What are the pros and cons of retaining walls? Here’s a brief overview of some of the pros and cons that homeowners might encounter after having a retaining wall installed at their residence. Retaining Wall Pros: They prevent soil from eroding and from spilling into your yard Retaining walls prevent flooding in your landscape These walls keep surrounding structures safe from elements that would damage them They are a great decorative feature in a well-landscaped yard Retaining walls reduce the amount of maintenance that many homeowners have to deal with due to erosion Retaining Wall Cons: Here are some possible retaining wall cons. Please note that these cons do not always occur, the quality of your installation directly correlates with how many issues you will encounter with your retaining wall. Ongoing maintenance and repair on your retaining wall (well-constructed walls need very little maintenance) An ineffective retaining wall (if you are having your retaining wall installed to serve a specific purpose, like drainage, then poor construction can mean that the wall fails to serve its purpose) Do You Need a Retaining Wall at Your Home Here are several questions that you should ask yourself to determine whether or not you need to have a retaining wall installed. Is dirt erosion a problem in your landscape? If there is dirt spilling over into your yard, this is an indication that you need to have a retaining wall installed to act as a barrier to the soil. Is your home downhill from a soil fault line? Even if this doesn’t currently cause you any problem, having a retaining wall there just in case of sudden erosion (which could be caused by an earthquake) will give you peace of mind. Do you have drainage problems in your landscape? Installing retaining walls will help with drainage issues. Are you looking for a low maintenance, practical, and beautiful landscape addition? Retaining walls are a simple, low maintenance way to liven up your outdoor aesthetic. Need a Quality Retaining Wall Installed at Your Home? Are you looking for a reliable Seattle retaining wall contractors installation service? If you’ve decided it’s time to have a retaining wall installed at your home, call New Life Rockeries. We have a team of landscaping professionals who prioritize quality retaining wall installation and customer satisfaction.  If you have any retaining wall questions or would like to get a quote on retaining wall installation, contact New Life Rockeries today.

As a home or business owner, you might have started to notice that the beautiful retaining wall you had installed on your property recently is already starting to tilt, sink, crack, or bulge. This is not normal and is a sign that your retaining wall is failing. This could be for one of many reasons, but to avoid future retaining wall mistakes, here are some things you should know about retaining wall contractors and retaining wall failure. What Happens When a Retaining Wall Fails? There are a host of unpleasant scenarios and consequences of retaining wall failure. These failures can have drastic effects on your landscape and even your house or office. For example, if your retaining wall was installed to prevent dirt erosion, the failure of the wall could result in a landslide in your yard — yeah, not a pleasant scenario. A retaining wall failure could also result in a flooded landscape if the wall was installed to combat drainage issues that you have in your yard. Both of these retaining wall failure scenarios can result in a lot of hassle for homeowners as well as damage to their property. This is why it’s essential to have a reliable landscaping team come and fix failing retaining walls to avoid further damage. Retaining Wall Causes of Failure But why did my retaining wall fail in the first place? Answering this question will ensure that mistakes are not repeated during the repair of your current, failing wall. To help you identify the flaw in your wall’s design, here are three of the most common reasons why retaining walls fail. Top 3 Reasons Why Retaining Walls Fail The building and installation process is where a lot of landscapers go wrong. If certain mistakes are made, the resulting retaining wall will almost certainly fail. Retaining Wall Mistake #1: Putting vertical joints in your retaining wall. This creates weak points in your retaining wall making it more likely to shift, lean, and eventually fail. Retaining Wall Mistake #2: Failing to complete the appropriate soil correction. While many homeowners would like to use the soil already on their property, it might not be the right balance (it could be too wet) and so using this soil could result in a less stable retaining wall that is more likely to fail. Retaining Wall Mistake #3: Failing to use enough draining aggregate or gravel. Often, the primary motivation for having a retaining wall installed is to solve drainage issues. So when landscaping companies skimp on gravel or other drainage promoting material, you could face drainage issues. As a general rule, most retaining wall contractors use at least 12 inches of aggregate when building a retaining wall. It’s important to remember that even professionals can make these mistakes. To help mitigate the possibility of retaining wall problems in the future, ask your contractor about these three issues, and make sure that they are considering these possible mistakes during construction. Contact a Reliable Retaining Wall Installation Company Today Here at New Life Rockeries, our team of retaining wall installation experts are ready to help repair problematic retaining walls on your property. With decades of experience and a robust track record, our professionals know how to repair and build walls that stand the test of time. If you would like to schedule a date to have our retaining wall crew visit your home or if you have any questions about our retaining wall services, contact New Life Rockeries today.

If you’re new to the landscaping scene and want to use your extra downtime to start improving your knowledge of landscaping and work on an outdoor project or two, here’s some helpful information for individuals learning about the different types of gravel. Different Types of Gravel Explained There are various types of gravel each with a different look, set of capabilities, and purpose. Here’s a brief overview of three of the most common types of gravel. Types of Pea Gravel Available in numerous colors, pea gravel is ideal for pathways, playgrounds, patio fill, and for drainage. Pea gravel has a smooth finish and makes for an aesthetically pleasing material. No matter what you use pea gravel for, you can be certain it will look luxurious and delicate. Types of Crushed Stone Gravel Crushed stone gravel is usually made up of limestone or granite that’s been broken down into small pieces. As crushed gravel is composed of aggregate (limestone or granite) it’s main colors include gray or whitish shades. Crushed gravel is a very simple and beautiful choice in landscape features and generally gives off a very professional look. Marble Chip Gravel Marble chips are usually white or whitish and have a very minimalist, simplistic aesthetic. They make an excellent accent in flower beds or gardens and even work well for small pathways. How to Choose the Best Gravel for Your Project Choosing the best gravel type for your landscape project might seem a bit daunting at first. How will you know what will best serve your landscape? If you are new to the landscaping world, we’d suggest that you reach out to a local landscaping company and speak with professionals about your project. Talking with a landscaping contractor will help you understand the different types of gravel in order to determine which would best suit your landscape project. If you have gravel questions or need help determining the best type of gravel for your outdoor project, contact New Life Rockeries to speak with one of our landscaping experts. What are the Different Uses for Types of Gravel? Gravel is an incredibly versatile material and the different uses for it are expansive. It can be used for aesthetic improvement, practicality, or as the foundation of a project. Here are some of the most common uses for different types of gravel. Drainage Enhancement Gravel and other types of crushed stone are often used at the base of flowerpots to promote drainage and prevent puddling. Gravel and crushed stone are ideal for drainage as it prevents soil erosion during damp, rainy seasons. Patio Foundation or Base Many patios utilize different types of gravel as a base. Gravel or crushed stone is often laid as a foundation before patio stones are laid on top. Gravel is also often used as the base of a retaining wall to surround the bottom layer of brick. Driveways & Pathways Want an easy, low-maintenance driveway or pathway? Just get a couple of wheelbarrows of gravel! Driveways are often tedious to design and maintain — so what’s stopping you from a simple gravel driveway? Gravel pathways throughout a landscape also add nice accents here and there and keep your grass from suffering from too much foot traffic. Filler Gravel is also very useful as a filler. Whether you need to fill gaps in a retaining wall or cracks in a patio, gravel will be your best friend. It’s simple, subtle, and blends well with any project. Need Landscaping Help? Need additional gravel tips? Or do you need help with a landscaping project that’s been on the back burner far too long? Whatever your landscaping needs, New Life Rockeries is here to help. We have a team of landscaping professionals who are ready to help you take your outdoor aesthetic to the next level. We help Washington homeowners create the landscape that they’ve always wanted. Our team of professionals will take your vision and turn it into a tangible reality so that you can’t wait to come home to your delightful outdoor landscape each day after work. Contact New Life Rockeries today to start working on your free quote. There’s no time like the present to get your landscape in tip-top shape.

Many homeowners are finding that they have extra time on their hands this spring and want to use it to DIY a drystack retaining wall. If this is you, this article will give you a step by step tutorial for how to build a drystack retaining wall for your home. What is a Drystack Retaining Wall? Drystack retaining walls differ from others in that they are built without mortar to fill in the gaps. Stones are stacked on top of each other, creating a natural stone retaining wall that functions optimally for natural draining. How to DIY a Drystack Stone Retaining Wall Here is an easy, step by step tutorial for making a DIY drystack stone retaining wall. 1. Gather Essential Tools Some of the most useful tools for building a DIY drystack retaining wall include: Level String or twine Wooden stakes (for markers) Shovel Wheelbarrow Gloves 2. Measure & Calculate Measure the length and height of your drystack retaining wall so that you are able to calculate how much stone you will need to complete the project. Measuring and calculating are extremely important for ensuring that you get the correct amount of stone for your DIY drystack retaining wall. 3. Pick Your Material for Your Drystack Stone Retaining Wall Visit a rock quarry or stone yard and select the perfect stone for your drystack retaining wall. Choosing the best stone for your project largely depends on preference. Just make sure that you get enough flat stone to cap the top of your drystack retaining wall. 4. Make Your Outline Outline the area where you will build your drystone retaining wall. Using wooden stakes and string, build yourself a wall outline. 5. Dig Your Trench & Fill it With Gravel Take your shovel and dig a trench where you will be building your DIY drystack retaining wall. Your trench should be anywhere from six inches to a foot deep and a couple of inches wider than the base of your drystack retaining wall. Once you’ve dug your trench, fill it with gravel or dirt. 6. Lay the Foundation for Your Drystack Retaining Wall Carefully lay the first layer of stone making sure that they are level. This is the foundation of your drystack retaining wall and the most important layer. Place each remaining layer on top of the next, checking to ensure that each layer is level. If you have particularly large gaps between stone, fill them in with soil or crushed stone. 7. Cap the Top of Your Drystack Retaining Wall With Flat Stones Take the flat stones that you selected at the stone yard or quarry and use them to cap your drystack retaining wall. This is the last step in your DIY drystack retaining wall and once complete you can sit back and enjoy your work. Need Help With Your Drystack Retaining Wall? If you are looking for expert advice and help with building a drystack retaining wall, contact New Life Rockeries. We have a team of landscaping professionals who would be happy to build a beautiful drystack retaining wall contractors for your home. Contact New Life Rockeries today to start the process of improving your home’s landscape today.

Outdoor landscaping is such a creative hobby. It lets you take items that you have access to, like railroad ties, wooden pallets, and more and gives you the chance to turn them into something that adds beauty to your yard.  If you want to DIY a retaining wall built from railroad ties, this article will act as your guide to building a railroad tie retaining wall for your yard. Step 1: Level the Location First things first. Start building your diy railroad tie retaining wall by leveling and tamping the location site. A sturdy, hard foundation will ensure that there is a minimal amount of earth shifting after you’ve built your wall. Don’t be alarmed if your railroad tie retaining wall still shifts slightly as it settles, this is a perfectly normal occurrence and shouldn’t affect the functionality of your retaining wall. Step 2: Use Gravel for Water Absorption After you’ve leveled and tamped the foundation for your railroad tie retaining wall, it’s time to lay your gravel foundation. Using gravel is an excellent way to ensure that excess water is absorbed by running through the gravel instead of the possibility of it warping or shifting your retaining wall. Make sure that when you lay the first railroad tie you allow space around it to be filled in with gravel. This will secure your foundation and allow for optimal drainage. Step 3: Lay & Level the First Railroad Tie With your gravel foundation laid and tamped, it’s time to set the first railroad tie of your retaining wall. One of the most important parts about laying the first railroad tie is to ensure that it is as level as possible. This will ensure that the following ties that are laid on top are also level. Take your time with laying the first railroad tie and add or get rid of gravel as needed. The reason why it’s so important to have a level first tie is that all of the other retaining wall railroad ties will build off of the first one, meaning that if the first one is lopsided all proceeding ones will be as well. Step 4. Get Your Pins & Drill Pin Holes in the Railroad Ties Now it’s time to grab your pins. Many homeowners choose to use simple rebar as their pins as they work optimally for holding the railroad tie retaining wall steady and are easy to come by. Make sure that your rebar is all the correct height. Depending on the length of your retaining wall will determine how many pins you will need. Consider using a pin every two to two and a half feet to make a sturdy wall. Next you will need to drill holes for the pins. You should make the hole slightly larger than the pin itself (though not by much).  Step 5. Place the Pins Now for the fun part, placing the pins. Most people will need a sledgehammer (a five or ten-pound sledgehammer should do the trick). Place the pin inside of the hole that you drilled and begin tapping it gently to ease it in. Once the pin is securely wedged in the hole you can start being a little more aggressive, using more force and a heavier sledgehammer. Make sure that you drive the pins into the ground so that your railroad tie retaining wall is firmly secured. Use your ten-pound sledgehammer to pound the pin to one side, securing the first railroad tie firmly to the ground. Step 6. Fill in the Gaps Once the first ties and pins are set, make sure that you fill in the gaps between the pins and the dirt with gravel. Put in a couple of inches of gravel at a time and securely tamp each shovel full of gravel down. Step 7. Rinse & Repeat From here on out the process is pretty simple. Place a one railroad tie on top of the last one, drill a hole, hammer your pin in, secure the pin, fill in behind the wall with gravel and tamp after each shovel full. Repeat these steps until your railroad tie retaining wall is the ideal height to serve its purpose. Hire a Professional Landscaping Service to Build Your Railroad Tie Retaining Wall Is it too daunted to take on the task of building a retaining wall with railroad ties? Never fear! You might not have the time to learn to build a railroad tie retaining wall on your own, but hiring a professional landscaping service can be done in no time.   New Life Rockeries has been serving pacific northwest homeowners for many years and takes great pride in accomplishing the desired outdoor aesthetic of each homeowner. If you need help having a Seattle retaining wall contractors installed in your yard, give New Life Rockeries a call today. Our team would be happy to create a custom quote for your project and help you start on the road of improving your landscape.

Washington is well known for being a rainy state. This means that delicate landscapes can become soggy, with excess rainwater puddling in every area that even remotely resembles a slope. For homeowners looking for a practical yet beautiful solution to Washington’s insistence on rain, a rain garden will suit your home and needs perfectly. This article details how to build a practical, aesthetically pleasing rain garden for your Washington landscape. What is a Rain Garden? Building a rain garden is like creating your yard’s own little ecosystem. You benefit from the rainfall and use it to feed your garden. Rain gardens are generally built near where homeowner’s roofs will let rainwater runoff and consist of a host of native deep-rooted plants. You can get as creative as Washington-native plants will allow you introducing color, texture, shape, and size into your rain garden. Why Does Your Landscape Need a Rain Garden? If you struggle with an excessive amount of rainwater throughout your landscape and are looking for a way to beautify your yard but you don’t want your landscape to be ruined with excess water, a rain garden is the best way to spruce up your landscape without the fear of Washington drizzle drowning your new additions. How to Build Your Own Rain Garden: 5 Tips If this is your first time building a rain garden, here are 5 tips to send you on your way to success and a beautiful Washington landscape. Use a Variety of Deep-Rooted Plants Deep-rooted plants thrive in damp environments, and thankfully Washington State is home to a variety of deep-rooted plants that are perfect for rain gardens. Consider deep-rooted plants like a bulrush, deer fern, Ribes (flowering currant), and watercress. Using a variety of deep-rooted, Washington native plants in your rain garden will ensure that there is a colorful mix of textures, heights, and shades throughout your rain garden. Use Rocks to Promote Drainage If you are unable to build your rain garden directly near a gutter, you can still use a rain garden to promote drainage throughout your landscape by utilizing rocks and creating channels in your yard. Begin the rock channel near where you are having drainage issues and run the rock channel through your yard, ending in your rain garden. Use the Right Soil Yes, you can actually use the wrong soil in your rain garden. The whole purpose of rain gardens is to absorb excess rainwater and prevent puddling throughout your landscape. This means that if you design your rain garden with less absorbent soil it will prevent the whole purpose of your rain garden. In general, an ideal soil mix for a rain garden includes around 30% sand, 30% organic material (usually from yard waste compost), and 40% loamy topsoil. Build Your Rain Garden Where it Can Be of the Most Use While you should build your rain garden at least five feet from your home, you should also make sure to position it in a spot where it will be of the most use. This means putting it in a place where water naturally collects. Your rain garden is meant to assist the rain in draining and serving a purpose (watering your garden). Placing your rain garden near gutters, sidewalks, or driveways will ensure its effectiveness and that it aids your landscape aesthetic and practicality. Hire a Professional Landscaping Contractor to Design Your Rain Garden If you want the benefits of having a rain garden installed at your home but are intimidated by the thought of designing and building the rain garden all on your own, consider hiring a professional landscaping company to help you get the job done. Here at New Life Rockeries, we have a dedicated team of landscaping experts who have been using their skills to improve the aesthetic and practicality of Washington landscapes for years. We would love to help you custom design the perfect rain garden to have built at your Washington residence. Work With New Life Rockeries Today To speak with our team of landscaping experts, give New Life Rockeries a call today. We take pleasure in helping homeowners achieve optimal landscapes for their homes that serve aesthetic as well as practical functions. Give New Life Rockeries a call today to start creating a custom-designed rain garden for your home.

When it comes to DIY landscape projects, it’s important to understand how to complete a project both effectively and safely. Moving boulders or large rocks isn’t something that many homeowners consider getting help for. While it’s fine to move them on your own, it’s important to understand different techniques for moving boulders and rocks to avoid hurting oneself in the process. There are superior methods for moving boulders large rocks that will ensure that you don’t hurt your back while doing it. Here are 5 of the most effective methods for moving boulders and rocks to avoid injuring yourself. How to Move Large Rocks & Boulders: 5 Different Methods 1. Hoisting Method For this method of boulder moving, you will need a heavy-duty nylon cord or rope and a rachet crank. Start by securing the boulder or large rock with a cable, feeding the strap around an immovable object, and using the rachet to crank until the boulder has moved to where you want it to be. While this can be a slow method for moving large rocks and boulders, it is effective. This method can be done by a single person and will ensure that you do not strain your back while moving big rocks around your landscape. 2. Dragging Method For this second method, you will need a pry bar, a sturdy rope or nylon strap, and an old tire. Start by prying the rock loose using a metal bar or piece of wood (aka your pry bar). Once the boulder is loose, prepare your old tire. You should feed your nylon cord or rope through the tire and make a secure knot so that you are able to drag the tire with the boulder inside. Use your pry bar to turn your boulder on top of the tire so that the large rock is wedged comfortably in the center of the tire. Once your boulder is securely on the tire, it’s time to move. Securely grip the nylon or rope cord that is attached to the tire and keeping your back straight so as to avoid injuring yourself, start dragging the tire with the boulder to your desired spot. 3. Plank & Roller Method Tools that you will need for this method of moving a boulder or rock include several sturdy pipes (preferably at least four), and a strong plank to rest the boulder on. Start by placing the pipes at equally spaced distances from each other — close to where the boulder is that you’d like to move. Place the sturdy plank on top of the pipes and proceed to loosen the boulder from its current position using your hands or a pry bar. Roll, scoot, or lift the boulder on to the conveyor belt-like invention and proceed to carefully push the rollers and boulder to the new location. This may also be a slow process as you need to take care that the boulder doesn’t fall off of the plank. Roll the planks to your desired location and unload your boulder. 4. Use a Sled Winter sleds have more than one purpose in life . They can be used for fun during the winter and for yard maintenance during the summer. For this method of large rock removal, you will need a sturdy sled and a pry bar. Pry the boulder or rock loose and use your pry bar to hoist the boulder on to the sled (make sure that you cover the surface of your sled with a blanket first to avoid making scratches). Drag the sled to your desired location before unloading your boulder at its new home. 5. Use a Wheeled Trash Bin Another handy household item that can be used to move boulders or large rocks is a wheeled trash bin. Simply lay your trash bin on its side, use a pry bar to loosen the boulder, and roll the large rock into your bin. Take care that you carefully turn your trash bin upright as you don’t want the boulder inside to suddenly shift positions and damage your bin. Roll your trash bin to the spot where you’d like to boulder to be and carefully turn your bin on its side again and empty the contents. Also, feel free to refer to this video for more help: Need a Hand Moving Boulders on Your Property? New Life Rockeries Can Help! New Life Rockeries has been helping Washington State residents improve their outdoor aesthetics for years. If there is a boulder or large rock in your landscape that you would like to find a new home for or need help moving to another area of your property, we can help you. Contact our team of landscape professionals or call them today if you need help with any landscaping projects