How to Make a Stone Planting Circle

A stone planting circle can be a beautiful addition to your yard. The introduction of flowers adds color and scent to your outdoor area, with them contained in a circle; you will still have most of your grass as well.

You can use pie shaped "castle stones" to create a sturdy and decorative circle. These come in various sizes and colors, so you can pick ones that will match your house, or the rest of your landscaping. They are easy to work with, though, depending upon the size, can be very heavy. Use caution when moving them, even the smaller ones, as they can still hurt if they land on you.

You will need:

• String
• Wooden Stakes
• Castle stones
• A rake
• Gravel
• Top soil and/or planting mix

Try to choose the area for your planting circle, carefully. It should level and free of any large plants that will get in the way. Drainage should not be an issue as the circle will have its own drainage; just make sure there is someplace for the water that drains from the circle to go. Pooling water under the circle could cause trouble for the plants inside.

Once you have selected the spot you want to place the stone circle, you will need to prepare it. Start by placing a stake in the center of the area and tying a string to it. Now walk out to what will be the edge of your circle, holding the string, and place another stake. Walk two steps, while still holding on to the string, place another stake. Do this all the way around the circle. This will be a visual representation of your planting circle. It will show you exactly where the circle will be and how big it will be.

Next clear all of the grass from the inside of your circle. This will leave you with a solid foundation of dirt, which you can then level with a rake.

Place a castle stone at each of the wooden stakes. Since the stones are pie shaped, when they are put together they will make a circle. You can adjust the diameter of the circle by adjusting the angle of the stones. This first layer of stones is critical, because it is the foundation. Make sure the stones are exactly where you want them and that they are level.

There will be spaces between and around the stones, some space is okay. Lay your stones so that they are touching in such a way that the space is minimal, add more stones to tighten up the space if you need to. You don't want large gaps in between.

The next level of castle stones is placed on top of the first row. Place a stone half on one stone and half on the one next to it. The next stone will take up the remaining half and carry over to the next stone, and so forth. Make sure that the front is flush with the front of the first row. Continue this all the way around the circle.

Lay the third layer of castle stones on top of the second. The stones should be off-set in the same manner as the second layer, thus putting them directly above the first. Additional layers should continue in this manner.

Depending upon the size of stone you have chosen for your project, you may want to stop at three layers, or add more. The more layers you add, the taller the wall of the circle and the deeper the planting surface.

When your circle is finished, place a very thin layer of gravel at the bottom of the planting circle; this will assist with drainage. Excess water will seep between the spaces in the stones and run off into your yard, it should not collect inside the circle.

Lastly, fill the circle with good top soil and/or planting mix. You may want to make your own planting mix using a combination of top soil and potting soil. This will help your plants to grow and make them healthier.

When you have your planting circle completed, you can then plant anything from roses, or even a fruit tree, to petunias or marigolds. Another option for this planting circle would be wild flowers; they are very beautiful and can be contained in the circle. What you plant in the circle is up to you, so use your imagination.