How to Build Dry Rubble Stone Walls

Excavate a trench about one-third as wide as the planned height of the wall and 16 inches deep. Fill the trench with gravel or crushed rock. Pack the material with a vibrating plate tamper to the point the gravel doesn't leave a footprint when you walk on it.

Place the largest stones available for the project on the lower course. Place the stones end to end in two side-by-side rows. Stagger the locations of the gaps between the stones of the two rows.

Add another course of stone above the first. Place the stones above the gaps between the first stones. The rule of thumb, according to the University of New Hampshire, is two stones over one and one stone over two. Fill any gaps between the side-by-side stones with smaller stones or rubble. The bigger stones form the visible portion of the wall, on each side, while the smaller stones form the support in the middle.

Place about a tenth of the stones perpendicular to the wall course. This helps hold the wall together and adds stability to the structure. Use stones of the same width as the wall. Placed across the two rows these stones will look similar to any other stone in the wall when the next course of rock is placed.

Cap the wall with larger flat stones. These stones cover the wall and protect it from moisture and snow.