Dry Stone Walling 101

I was recently fortunate enough to run a course, Dry Stone Walling 101, at Landscape Ontario and the picture here is the finished product.
Seven students were taught the basic rules of dry stone walling and completed approximately 25 linear feet of 4.5 feet high wall. The wall included a vertical cheek-end, two lifts of stone, through stones and vertical coping. After completing this course the students have the knowledge to possibly take part in the Beginner testing through the DSWA UK.
Please contact me for up coming courses.

Front Entrance

Recently Completed Dry Stone Retaining Wall

This retaining wall is about 5 1/2 ft high and 30 ft long and it was built for a customer in Oakville, Ontario.

I was recently lucky enough to work on a project with some fellow members of the Dry Stone Guild of Canada. We built a vertical style, curved wall at the Canada Blooms Show this past week. The show was a great success and we were happy to be displayed in the Landscape Ontario Feature Garden.
Have a look at the www.drystoneguild.com for more pictures of the display.

In my travels I am always looking out for historic examples of dry stone walls. In the summer of 2008 I was working on a dry stone wall for a customer near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I drove the same route almost everyday on my way to the site.
It wasn't until one day a woman stopped by and asked some questions about the wall I was working on . We got to talking and she asked me if I knew about the wall down the road. The lunch bell rang (hahaha) and I grabbed my tools and headed down the road to see if I could find this old wall. I must have driven up and down that road for about a 1/2 an hour and then finally pulled into this small park entrance to have my lunch. My eyes followed the line of the driveway and I was amazed to see this dry stone wall. It is about 1000ft in length and approx. 3 to 4 ft in height. I guess you never know whats just around the corner.

As I walk up the driveway to my current project I think to myself. "What the heck am I doing building a dry stone wall in this type of weather." As I continue to walk I realize that this is one of the only types of masonry that can be done in minus degree weather. I open the tent and look at the pile of clean stone in front of me. I take of my fogged up glasses and turn on my heater so my hands don't freeze as I pickup the very cold stone. The dial on my radio still not light up because it is still so cold. I have to say I am just glad I am not working with mortar. I am glad to be a dry stone waller!!!