Services

 

Natural Stone Services

Borrowed Ground's specialty is their expertise in natural stone work. We are trained and certified 'dry stone masons' through the Dry Stone Conservancy in Lexington, Kentucky. The Dry Stone Conservancy is the only organization that is establishing industry standards here in the United States. Dry stone masonry is a building method used to construct structures without mortars. When built properly, dry stone structures will last well over 100 years, many lasting for centuries.

Our stone crew travels to multiple workshops in dry stone masonry every year to learn from other experts in our field, as well as to share our skills. We enjoy building with a wide range of natural stone, whether we hand quarry it or use palletized materials. (back to top)

Our services in this area include:

Retaining Walls & Fences

Dry stone retaining walls and fences use no mortar to hold them together. With the use of proper building techniques, gravity and friction, these structures last well over 100 years with a minimum amount of maintenance. These are dynamic structures that can move with expanding and contracting soils through the seasons. Water and air circulation are actually able to move through the walls which releases hydraulic pressure behind them. It also inhibits freezing damage that can occur if water is trapped inside. (back to top)

Some of the benefits of these structures in the landscape:

• Last over a hundred years when built by a properly trained mason
• They are earthquake resistant when built properly
• From a sustainability standpoint, there is a minimum amount of maintenance compared to a wood fence which must be replaced every 15 years and maintained most years with a surface treatment such as paint or stain.
• They provide shade and shelter for livestock, wildlife and plantlife.
• They are relatively easy to modify, for changes of use in the landscape. There is also no loss of materials when modified.

Patios, Landings, and Walkways

Our 'flatwork' is built to be solid under foot, fast draining, and low maintenance. Each stone is at least 1 1/2" thick and hand worked to fit the space with consistent spacing. The spaces between the stones can filled with ground covers, small perennials or fine crushed stone to allow water to drain, or a combination of finishes. Each site is assessed dimensionally for the best function for the client's needs. For example, entry walkways are typically 48" for multiple people, and an intimate garden pathway may be only 12" wide for a single person. These three areas are always scaled for function so they are the most inclusive of your needs. (back to top)

Stairs, Benches,Edging, Arches, Passageways, Bridges, Culverts, Bulkheads, & Erosion Control

We enjoy building details in stone. Stairs add function and personality to your setting. Again when we build these, we design and build to traffic flow, destination, and to who is using them. Benches are a great detail to incorporate in any garden. They provide a space to sit and enjoy the beauty of the landscape, either solitarily or with others. Stone edging is a great way to define boundaries.

These elements are structural and also very practical for long term use in the landscape. Dry stone arches and passage ways are very powerful visually as well as reminiscent of ancient stone sites. (back to top)

Landscape Design

We enjoy designing landscape solutions that suit our client's needs. Wether it is hardscaping, plantings, or both we focus on the sustainability of the desires of our client to create landscape that is timeless and low-maintanance. All images on this website are Borrowed Ground designs unless otherwise noted. (back to top)

Stone & Landscape Consulting

This service allows those that want to do their own hardscape installation the opportunity to be guided through the process by experts. We will help you assess your site, choose materials, teach essential techniques necessary to build each element, show you where to start, and encourage you through the process. From start to finish we will be there.

The other path for this service is consulting for fixing existing stone work, modifying existing stone work, and education on how to properly use stone in the landscape so it functions properly and lasts.
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Sustainable Practices

This boils down to simply not forcing an environment to do something it cannot sustain. For example: asking a wet, shady area with poor soil to sustain a healthy lawn. It will always be wet, struggling to compete with weeds better suited to the environment, laden with moss, and a burden. To force the situation would require a large cost of time and money for the home owner that ultimately is not sustainable. Solutions are endless, beautiful, additive to the landscape, and sustainable... dig a curtain drain, and build a beautiful dry creek bed to pick up excess water and channel it away. Or add a raised patio area and plant species that thrive in the environment. Where we can utilize native plants in our designs we try to include them. (back to top)

We are a Bellingham landscaping and hardscaping company that specializes in designing, sculpting, and collaborating with clients to create spaces that utilize natural stone and native plantings. We build stairs, rockeries, patios, dry stack fences and retaining walls. From residential to commercial environments, we strive for a harmonious relationship between nature, structure, and humankind.

Borrowed Ground looks at each project with sustainability in mind. By designing within the site conditions and utilizing long term solutions we can create an environment that minimizes costs for maintenance, reduces labor, and ultimately supports a healthier landscape. With consideration to planning, design, and implementation we can help you realize an outdoor space that is functional, aesthetically pleasing, cost effective, and environmentally appropriate.