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Make It Easy:  Building a rock fence...  |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 17 2008 : 07:16:36 AM
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I'm in love with rock fences. When I was stationed in Scotland I loved how the fields were surrounded by them. I want one pretty badly, almost desperately...
I know they are labor intensive but was wondering if anyone had ever built one? My hubby once moved tons of rock to cover an unstable hillside by our home and he says he'll build the fence but I have to move the rock...say what?? hehehe... But anyway, I would like a low one partially surrounding a flower garden.
I can google some info but has anyone here built one and what is your best advice (other than not do it...hehehe...).
Winona 
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
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Duchess
True Blue Farmgirl
109 Posts
Iowa
USA
109 Posts |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2008 : 07:51:54 AM
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Living in Kentucky rock fences and walls were built by the Irish (everyone used to think by slaves). They're everywhere along rural roads, and even in town.
There is a Rock Wall Conservancy located in Lexington, Kentucky that actually gives classes out at Pleasant Hill, the shaker settlement. My husband I have wanted to take them, but can never get away from work to do it. Here is their link--there are many other programs like theirs across the nation and Europe.
http://www.drystone.org/publications/
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2008 : 09:11:21 AM
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I saw on Martha Stewart the other day her house and they showed how her rocks walls were built. They showed the different types of rocks and styles. It was last week, so maybe you could look around her website.
Cheers,
Heather |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2008 : 10:01:33 AM
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We built fieldstone walls around the gardens at our old house. Years of stopping by the roadside to pick up rocks...then fitting them together like a puzzle, no mortar so they could be moved. We left them behind when we moved into the new house. I still regret not hauling all that rock to our new place. The owners after us took everything down, easier to mow...GASP!
The walls were low, about 2 1/2 foot, wider at the base, tapering to not quite a point on top. As I said, no mortar, just fitting them carefully together. They stood there for years, never falling. These were for "pretty", never had to keep anything in or out. It's really a very easy project Winona. I think collecting rock was the hardest part. We were too cheap (and poor) to buy rock. Good luck with your project!
Rhonda
I'm a one girl revolution. |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2008 : 9:02:05 PM
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One of my favorite things about driving down our road is seeing the beautiful rock fences. There are a few companies that will even come to your farm and build them. They are currently working on one down the road from us and it does take a lot of time and patience. Jonni is right, they were built by the Irish when they came over here. I'll try to dig through my photos and post some on my blog when I get the chance.
~Jessica in Kentucky & Miss Wilma's Niece~
Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow...
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/ |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2008 : 8:36:14 PM
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Thanks for the info...The one thing I didn't know was that a V is left in a rock fence and then filled with smaller rocks, that's the gate. Wehn the farmer wants to move his cattle, he moves the small rocks, moves the cows thru and then refills the hole. I did find a website that explained that part.
My hubby still isn't thrilled but I think it would be a nice project anyway... :-)
Winona :-)
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
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HeathersHeartfeltStitches
True Blue Farmgirl
440 Posts
Heather
Lancaster
OH
USA
440 Posts |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2008 : 5:43:35 PM
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When I get back home I'll put up a photo on my blog of some rock fences around our area. I thought I had them on my email to pull off but I don't. But when I get home, I'll be sure to show some KY ones.
~Jessica in Kentucky & Miss Wilma's Niece~
Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow...
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/ |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2008 : 7:57:25 PM
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Oh, I love the rock fence around the garden. That's just what I want to do!
Kydeere, did you get the pics to put on here??
Winona :-)
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
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Mikki
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Mikki
Austin
Indiana
USA
1510 Posts |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2008 : 3:30:45 PM
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Winona...goodness, I'm sorry that I didn't get back to you on this...looking up photos right now. Will post in a few minutes..
Ok here they are:
~Jessica in Kentucky & Farmgirl Sisterhood #137~
Be sure to visit my blog & Crafty Clipart for some of my photographs:
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/
http://www.craftyclipart.com |
Edited by - kydeere40744 on Feb 18 2008 3:44:44 PM |
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gafarmwoman
True Blue Farmgirl
244 Posts
Pam
Georgia
USA
244 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2008 : 07:45:49 AM
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This isn't a rock fence, but a rock bridge/dam my husband and I(mostly my husband) has worked on for the last few months. About 100 years ago there was a earth dam in this spot that held a holding pond for a water wheel. We have found several metal gears and pieces of the original water wheel and the log beam was still in the side of the creek where the water wheel stood. We are in the process of putting a water wheel back in the same spot.There are not many rocks on our farm but around this creek we dug up enough rocks to use on this project. We still have a lot of work left on the whole project but I am proud of what we have done so far. Anyways,here are a few pictures of our rock work.
You can never have enough friends.
Please come and sit a spell with me at Life on a Southern Farm
http://georgiafarmwoman.blogspot.com |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2008 : 09:41:46 AM
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WOW! That's beautiful and amazing! I always wonder "who build's these things...", And it's YOU (Oh yes, & hubby  )! Incredible work Pam. Thanks for sharing your photos!
Rhonda
PS I just love your blog Pam! Everyone go read it! Go now! Run!
I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance even if I'm the only one...
http://www.kattywhompus.etsy.com |
Edited by - abbasgurl on Feb 19 2008 09:43:30 AM |
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gafarmwoman
True Blue Farmgirl
244 Posts
Pam
Georgia
USA
244 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2008 : 09:10:50 AM
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Thanks Rhonda. Since the rocks came right from the creek area, it is like putting it back into it's natural setting. I can't wait until we get the water wheel built and running. My dream is to have a log cabin at the water wheel site. Maybe..later.
You can never have enough friends.
Please come and sit a spell with me at Life on a Southern Farm
http://georgiafarmwoman.blogspot.com |
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Make It Easy: Building a rock fence... |
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Building a rock fence...
