Question
Hi Jonathan, I already got some good advice from this webpage and have started my river rock raised gardens beds.  I have measured and dug the trenches and put rock on the bottom layer.  ( I have unlimited supply of river rock in my back yard)  I have put large stones on the bottom and am ready to build my wall.  I want to go about 2 to 2 1/2 feet tall.  I am not sure I like the free standing rocks but would not like cement either.  Is there a recipe for homemade mortar, something organic that can hold these stones together.  Some of them are round and do not stack too well.  I was thinking of leaning in with them but am not sure I want the spaces to collect weeds in them........Thanks so much.

Answer
Hi Darlene, as I always say "There is nothing more modern than the past" meaning that the old methods were not only very effective but often extremely organic too! Therefore I would suggest a simple option, which is simply using clay to bind the rocks together. This would also allow for plants to take root between the rocks, such as trailing rosemary or lavender even.

Whereas the complicated option would be to use chalk as a mixture, however a bit of research would be needed on the exact doses- I am a landscape designer not a builder, I'm afraid to say. Good luck anyway www.italiangardendesign.eu