Mortar mix for stone wall

[hexdex]

Hi.

I'm going to be putting a huge heap of granite boulders to use and build a garden wall. I was wondering what mortar mix I should use? The wall will only be about a metre tall and around 35cm wide. I will be using mortar as I fail badly with dry walls!

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

Because granite blocks are heavy (?), I would use 1 part cement, 4 parts sharp sand and use plasticiser. Plasticiser traps bubbles in the mix, so the mix can sink a little to allow the stones to bed down. The sharp sand is so the blocks do not squeeze all the mortar out. Soft sand is normally used for bricks and concrete blocks, it might work or try upping the amount of sharp sand to stop that sinking feeling.
Frank

 

[hexdex]

Thanks Frank. I was wondering about which sand too, but what you say makes total sense.