How to build a drystack TN fieldstone wall.

I am no stone mason and I figured it out. So follow these easy steps and you too can have a beautiful planter and seat wall in your backyard. Stop by our store and I will help you pick out the perfect stone for your project.

Dig out the footing for the wall.

The footer for a small seat wall should be about about 4" wider than the base of the wall and about 4-6" deep. I chose 789 Granite which is a loose aggregate for the footing material. You can also use a compactable material, but in this case I wanted the water to be able to go through the wall.

Start laying the bottom course of stone and complete one layer of stone the entire length of the wall, leveling each stone as you go. This is the most important part of building a stone wall. If the first course is not laid correctly you will pay for it later. Once the first course is laid and checked for level, proceed to piece stones together wherever they will fit.

Step back from the wall occasionally and look at it from a distance to make sure there are no repeating patterns or you have not placed a stone crooked. Also try and step back each course of stone as you go up slightly so the wall does not lean forward

Remember to take a break every once and a while so you don't get dog tired.

Try and save some of the bigger pcs of stone with flat tops for the very end to use as cap stones. It is very important to work out the wall stones so that the cap stones or coping is all perfectly level. Otherwise you will have some unhappy wall sitters. The depth of the caps stone should also be somewhat larger than the wall stones so you have good sitting surface

I usually mortar the cap stones in place so they don't rock.

Stick in some plants and a little mulch and you have a beautiful seat wall that doubles as a planter. Every time you step into the backyard you can think of all the hard work you put into your work and admire your personal craftsmanship.