If you really like the design then why not to start with the size that you can afford or make your garden not so overcrowded with the slabs? You could enlarge your dream garden gradually when you can afford to.

Honestly... I don't care much about the look... I prefer to understand the mechanics of this method so that i can have more freedom with the visual design ^_^

Hi... thanks for the tips :)

I'm looking to plant succulents. But where I am, our tropical climate isn't so appropriate. Mostly because sometimes we get heavy rain everyday. Which is obviously not ideal for planting succulents outdoor in the ground. This is why I'm looking into creating a crevice garden. My potted succulents are growing well out in the open. I'm planning to use the same gritty soil mix for the crevice garden. I've also been compiling a list of succulents that can handle a lot of rain. Since my first post... I've been experimenting planting succulents in pvc pipes that have been embedded into the ground... they seems to be doing well so far ^_^

@omegabrick can you advise how we should approach a gravel pit to buy large rocks from them? I gather those places are run by large companies and they are selling bulk finished rock wholesale to rockeries. I would not have guessed they have any channel to deal with individual users, for products they do not even normally sell.

@westes California SF Bay
I would call the main office at your local gravel pit to see if they serve the general public. If you cannot find a number, drive to the weigh station at the gravel pit and speak with the manager on site. I have dealt with several gravel pits in Grand Rapids, MI and all have been at least cordial if not accommodating. And Grand Rapids Gravel which has several locations in West Michigan allows the general public access to its rock piles for far lass than one would pay at a retail supplier.

@omegabrick so assuming they will give me access, what am I asking to see? They will have a pile of waste rock associated with the mining operation? Normally that rock is being kept on site indefinitely and then used for landfill later?

@westes California SF Bay.
Gravel pits don’t really save large materials for landfill (as far as I know). They are more likely to save soil and crushed stone for use once the pit is used up and needs to be repurposed. Ask for large stone, boulders, outcropping, oversized rock.... the terms for different areas of the country will vary as will the type of available materials. In Grand Rapids, MI, the pits also have materials brought from off-site construction/ excavation projects. You may be able to get permission to drive around the site and view what is available. Grand Rapids Gravel’s has hundreds of tons of oversized boulders available at any given time. Some stone/boulders are bland; some gorgeous with beautiful colors and interesting textures.

Hi I built a smallish 10'x8' crevice garden out of concrete pavers and capstones. You can make them look more natural by roughing up the edges with a sledge hammer. You can make the color look more natural with iron sulfate solution. That's the same stuff you use for correcting chlorosis. You can also add found objects to give it an aura of post apocalyptic nature. It works great in conjunction with a small swale.