The Rock Pile

Here are some things to rock your gardening world.
Rocks. Of course. An abundance of naturally-​formed mineral masses in countless shapes, colors, and sizes, dense, heavy, weatherproof, and as old as
—or older than — dirt. A handful of us might find this exciting, while others — maybe not so much.
This hard matter which comprises much of the earth’s crust, first became a welcome commodity probably about 50 millennia ago when homo sapiens began using them for the construction of boundaries, shelters, and roasting pits. The small ones, being more easily sourced and transported — and awesomely formidable weaponry — could also be thrown, slung, pushed, and dropped, defensively and offensively. If not for the ubiquitous rock who knows how far humans would have advanced to this point. The humble stone deserves more earth cred that it gets. And I wouldn’t be surprised if long before Stonehenge and the Pyramids, some of those artistically-​inclined antelope-​skin-​draped prehistorics who painted images on cave walls also collected stones to be used in the earliest forms of landscape design. When one has a sense for originality — with only a microcosm of those first creativity cells — but Home Depots, garden centers, plastics, metals, and appealing manufactured outdoor decorations are nowhere in sight but far off in the way distant future — what does a clever cro-​magnon with an imaginative flair do, to pass the time between hunting and gathering?
I’m not a paleontologist, not even a hobbiest, but several years ago, after finding a number of small stones in my yard that contained amazing little fossils, it was one in particular that made me appreciate the avid interest rock hounds have for what’s probably boring for most others. The incredible trace fossil (not the preserved creature itself, but its impression) was very distinct, and approximately 2“x1″. After researching, I identifed it as a connularia, a marine invertebrate predator from the Cambrian period — the first geological period of the Paleozoic Era — and learned that this little bully actually became extinct well before dinosaurs roamed. In the grand scheme of all life forms, connularia died off not too long after our Big Old Bang. That was some time ago. heeha. And here — in my own back yard — I find this ancient stone with its clear multi-​dimensional fossil imprint, a mere 500 to 540 million years after its once-​entombed diminutive creature was swimming through some murky primordial lake. Pretty cool.
Although rocks were my main focus on this first visit (and they have SEVERAL TONS in several varieties) The Rock Pile has more than that.
~ mulch, annual & perennial flowers, plants,
shrubs, and trees (still stocking… April too
early for full range)
~ gardening supplies, decorative objects, small
giftables, statuary
~ wild bird seed, feeders, bird baths, and other
related items
~ lottery tickets, too. Even a little diner.
Not expecting it, the moment I opened the door I smelled the most inviting, delicious aroma I’d ever whiffed inside (of all things) a garden center — or ANY business — other than a restaurant. I thought an employee had just nuked lunch or unwrapped a take-​out. But right beyond bird seed platforms, poles, and squirrel baffles, off in the corner, with a few tables and chairs, was their «Café». Wasn’t hungry, but seriously tempted. I’ll sample something on my next visit.
Their all-​natural-​from-​the-​earth rocks, displayed outdoors — from golf ball size, to softball, basketball and even much larger (more like the boulders used by residential and commercial developers, and landscape contractors), plus several varieties in flat slab forms to use for patios, walkways, and stepping stones, run from 15 cents per pound and up. Pull up their site for specific pricing. And they offer delivery for $ 45 with – I think — a one or two ton purchase. Now THAT’S «super-​sizing» an order. I was there when it had just rained, so it was easier to see coloring and markings. If it’s not going to be raining the day you stop in — and specific tones or hues are part of your gardening plans AND you’re especially anal-​retentive — I’d suggest bringing a spray bottle of water.
Purchased 5 rocks for a small area — around 40 pounds, and about only $ 6. What one may think of as plain old boring cheap stones can actually enhance a garden area as much as expensive statuary and containers, so definitely worth checking them out. And — if nothing else — rocks make great doorstops. Or unusual gifts! A few Unilocalers will fondly remember Pet Rocks?
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Haven’t yet decided on the arrangement for my corner rock garden, but knew it was time to replace the huge white truck tires. K-​i-​d-​d-​i-​n-​g. Never used them for flowers.
One’s just been leaning against the porch for 10 years, and the other two are holding up the front end of an old rusted-​out Buick. no. haha