Hi All

babs1191

Hi Im looking for some advice, I have a part of my garden which is on a slope its roughly around 20ftx 20ft and im thinking of making it into a rockery, my question is should I cover the ground with a weed cover before putting down rocks and planting?

thanks in Advance

Babs

UpNorth

no.   the question arises usually because of the concern for weeds/keeping weeds down.

it just gets in the way later, it rots, it looks unsightly.  

get it properly weeded before planting then plant quite densely.  

and definitely no, because it's a slope/bank....which won't take gravel well (imo).

babs1191

Thanks UpNorth, I thought the same but was unsure what others might do, I was thinking of using a fine gravel between the plants to keep weeds down instead of the weed sheet, what do you think?

babs

Dovefromabove

I agree with UpNorth, for all the reasons given in his/her post.

Also, to build a rockery, the rocks have to form part of the structure of the slope, not be simply laid on top of it.  In a good rockery on a slope most of the rock is hidden, wedged into and against the direction of the slope, forming planting pockets, with just the face of the rocks showing.  

DampGardenMan

Dovefromabove said:

Also, to build a rockery, the rocks have to form part of the structure of the slope,

Definitely - avoid the "plum pudding" look at all costs. And sun and excellent drainage are what most alpines want.

babs1191

Yes I know what you mean, im hoping to get started this on Saturday (weather permitting)!! thanks as always for the advice folks!

Dovefromabove

We're supposed to be getting Gardening Weather on Saturday here in Norfolk so I hope you get it too ........ before and after photos would be good ... and some work in progress ones as well 

Obelixx

Rock gardens can be beautiful but also absolutely awful if you get it wrong.  I advise you to have a read of this info from the RHS before you get stuck in - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=837
and then have fun.