Rocky Soil Explained: 3 Solutions for Gardens With Rocky Soil

Rocky soil is the result of the ground beneath your garden shifting and pushing rocks upwards toward the earth's surface. While this is a natural process, rocky ground poses a problem to gardeners and landscapers looking to create hospitable outdoor spaces. Along with other problematic types of soil like clay soil and sandy soil, rocky soil can prevent certain plants from growing properly.

Rocky ground can inhibit plant roots from getting proper nutrients. Large, impenetrable rocks make it difficult for plant roots to spread and receive the nutrients they need to thrive. Rocks provide little to no nutritional value to the soil. An abundance of rocks in the soil is a likely indicator of poor soil quality. Plus, removing large rocks is difficult work. Landscapers have long used backhoes and bulldozers to remove large slabs of rock from the earth, not always with success. Large rocks give way to smaller rocks, which can also be difficult to remove.

There are several possible solutions to consider for gardens with rocky soil.

1. 1. Amend the soil with organic compost. Once you've determined your desired gardening area, rake the area to remove weeds and surface rocks. Apply a six-inch layer of organic compost that is rich with organic matter such as plant trimmings and grass clippings. Till the compost into the earth at a depth of nine to twelve inches, removing any large rocks in the process.
2. 2. Build raised beds. Raised garden beds or stone retaining walls can help provide enough good soil for plant roots to thrive in rocky areas. Fill raised beds with rich, organic topsoil. After planting, cover the soil in a layer of mulch to help with moisture retention.
3. 3. Embrace plants that tolerate rocky soil. If all else fails, embrace plants that are able to thrive in rocky ground. Trees and shrubs will tolerate rocky soil more than flowering perennials. There are also a number of plants with shallow roots that do not require much watering or fertilizer. These plants will vary depending on which USDA hardiness zone you live in. Ask your local nursery for a list of plants that will tolerate rocky soil.

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