Introduction 8 Chapter 1 Designing with Stone 12Decide What You Like 14* Explore the PossibilitiesAesthetic Decisions for Stonework 18* Developing a Design Direction* Inspiration from the Site* Use PropsCreating Walkways and Steps 26Creating Stone Patios 30Creating Walls 34Creating Rock Features 38 Chapter 2 Planning Your Project 42Defining the Site 44* Site Evaluation* Become a Soil Sleuth* Create Site Drawings* Managing the Worksite* Professional Expertise* The Budget as a Planning Aid* How Much Will It Cost? Chapter 3 Stone as a Building Material 56Stone Classifications 58* Evaluating Stone* Small-Dimension Materials* Price, Availability, and QuantityGuidelines for Delivery 64Learn from the Stone 66 Chapter 4 Tools & Techniques 68Tools 70* Tool PreferencesWorking with Stone 73* Before you Begin* Shaping Skills* Dressed StoneMortared Stonework 78* How to Mix MortarLiving with Stone 80* Stone DisplacementProtect your Plants 81* Temporary Relocations* Saving Sod* Working Around Mature Trees and Shrubs* Changing the Grade* Altering Natural Watercourses Chapter 5 Paths & Walkways 86Path and Walkway Design 88* Complement Garden Features* Walkway and Path Basics* Edging* Walkway SlopeStepping-stone Paths 95* Stone Selection* Laying Out the Walk* Set the StonesGravel Paths and Walkways 96* Types of Stone* Installing a Loose-Aggregate Walk* Spread the Loose AggregateDry-Laid Flagstone Walks 100* Walk Design* Lay Stone in Sand* Remove the FormsStepping-stones in Water 104 Chapter 6 Stone Patios 106Patio Uses 108Installing a Dry-Laid Patio 108Building a Patio 111* Leveling* Calculate the Slope* Excavate the Soil* Add a Gravel Base* Add a Sand Bed* To Edge or Not* Choose a Pattern and Spacing* Set the Stone* Fill the JointsMortared Patios 122* Choose and Dry Fit the Stone Chapter 7 Landscape Steps 126Step Design 128* Rise and Run* Calculate Unit Rise and Run* Step WidthBuilding Steps 134* Mortared Steps Chapter 8 Stone & Water Features 138Water Features 140Carving a Water Bowl 140* Find Your Stone* Examine the Stone* Choosing a Chisel and Hammer* Rough-out the Bowl* Finishing the Bowl* Maintaining the Water BowlConstructing a Fountain 144* Stone for the Fountain* Pump Assembly* Installing the Pump* Fountain MaintenanceDry Streambeds 148* Design* Installation Chapter 9 Setting Large Stones 150Explore the Possibilities 152Basic Shapes 154* Vertical or Upright* Horizontal* Blocky or Chunky Stone* ArchingSurface Qualities 156Creating an Arrangement 158* Ratios* Spacing* Orientation* Quantity* Companion PlantingsTechniques and Tools 162* Site Preparation* Placing Stones with Hand Tools* Earthmoving Equipment* Protect the Stone Chapter 10 Rock Gardens 170Choose a Site 173Prepare the Site 174* Gardens in WallsChoose the Stone 176Arrange the Stone 179 Chapter 11 Freestanding Walls 182Creating Stone Walls 184* Stone for Your WallDry-Laid Freestanding Walls 188* Building BasicsMortared Freestanding Walls 194* Working with Mortar Chapter 12 Retaining Walls 198Retaining-Wall Designs 200* Preparing the Site* Building the WallAdding a Fire Pit 209* Build the Fire Pit Resource Guide 212 Metric Equivalents 215 Glossary 216 Index 218 Credits 223.