Waterfall Foam -- how sturdy for anchoring rocks?

[michey1st]

^^^^^ @RobAmy he would be able to help, he does rock work.

Help me, @RobAmy Kenobi! You're my only hope!!!! <-- supposed to be princess leia hair.....

 

[addy1]

I dry stacked my up slope side of the pond, more than a 45 degree slope, maybe 75, anyways nice flat rocks each rock back further than the first rock which was down on the ponds edge. Some of the edges of the rock buried in the dirt. I walk down the rock slope all of the time, so far it has been real stable. (5 years now) It is from 3-4 foot tall more or less.

The rocks on the left is the stream water fall, the rocks to the middle and right have been covered by the juniper that is growing down over them. The one place the deer can't get to. They survive the deer munching.

 

[RobAmy]

We've never messed with Mortar before, but I know my better half is just itching to try it. The only thing that has me a little worried about mortaring rocks in is the permanence of it. What if I want to change things up in a few years? Will it require a jackhammer or can it be chiseled apart? Is there a pond-safe off-the-shelf mix I can use or do I have to mix my own? Not gonna lie... the alure of something uber-stable is great, but it just introduces a whole host of new questions, lol!

The mortar will clean off the stone very easy with just a hammer, it does not bond like brick. It will still be a project to change things up but very doable. There is no pond mortar mix, but it will be fairly safe to mix your own, you really do not want to use a lot. Just enough to tighten things up but still try to remain a dry look with the stone, it will look more natural. Let it dry good before you fill the pond. Remember mortar is not waterproof so do not rely on it for that, it will help for flow, so water goes over vs. under things but it can still seep water. If you have other questions please ask.

 

[michey1st]

That sounds "simple" enough, thank you, @RobAmy! Do you have a favorite mortar recipe you recommend for a novice (or a trusted website that can provide me the info?). I like the idea of keeping it natural looking for sure and if a few dabs will do me, then even better!

If I wanted to "practice" on stacked stones that are around our flower beds (the same type of stones that will be going in the pond), would the recipe be the same?

 

[RobAmy]

That sounds "simple" enough, thank you, @RobAmy! Do you have a favorite mortar recipe you recommend for a novice (or a trusted website that can provide me the info?). I like the idea of keeping it natural looking for sure and if a few dabs will do me, then even better!

If I wanted to "practice" on stacked stones that are around our flower beds (the same type of stones that will be going in the pond), would the recipe be the same?

You can buy bags of mortar premixed at Home depot/Lowes that will have the sand already in it, just add water. If you want to mix your own then 1 part mortar 2 parts sand then mix it together and add water. Make sure you use mortar not concrete, the bags look similar. It will be the same for the pond or practice planter. You want to mix it so it is creamy but thick enough not to fall off the trowel because it is to wet or falling off because it is to dry. Once you mix it, you will get a feel for what you want. You want to do more then just dab it here and there just do not put the mortar all then way to the face so it does not ooze out. Good luck