
	Intro: Before you begin Step 1: Design the wall Step 2: Calculate your materials Step 3: Gather and sort your materials Step 4: Dig and line the base Step 5: Lay the base stones Step 6: Build the courses Step 7: Build a retaining wall (optional)








	Have the stone and aggregate placed as close to the working area as possible, without, of course, blocking the wall's placement. If you're building a long wall, you may want to have the aggregate dumped in multiple piles along the planned course for easier access.

2torial #0741:
Learn2 Build a Dry Stone Wall (continued)

Gather and sort your materials

When you're ready to order your materials, be sure to tell the supplier what size aggregate you want (3/4 of an inch, or 1.9 centimeters, is best--big enough to not slip through the joints, but small enough to shovel easily). For the stone, you'll want a variety of sizes. Expect a rough mix of these five shapes:

Cornerstones: Large stones with 90-degree angles that you can use for wall corners
Capstones: Large, flat stones that "cap" the top course of the wall
Tie stones: Long stones that lay across the full width of the wall, "tying" the two sides together for added security
Base stones: Large, stable stones used for the first course
And finally, mixed grade, which includes everything in between

Unless you want to pick up the stone yourself, the supplier will deliver it (usually for an added charge). Stone typically comes on pallets so they can be placed wherever you want. The aggregate will usually be delivered in a dump truck and deposited in a pile.

Once the stone is delivered, it's up to you to unload it from the pallets. As you do, try to sort it by the shapes listed previously. This way, you won't waste time searching for the right size when you start building.

Step 4