Landscaping ideas using rocks and stones

Ah rocks – the bane of every gardener. You try to dig a hole to plant something and “CLANK” – hit a rock. Maybe it’s a small rock – most often it’s something large that must be extricated using a series of techniques that include various tools, hands and words reserved only for special occasions!

But then – POP! Out it comes. Now you can plant. But what to do with the rock? Better yet, what to do with the PILE of rocks you’ve amassed from doing this over and over again?

If you’re a cheap – er -’thrifty’ gardener you’ll appreciate the creative ways one can use all those rocks:

1) Make borders for your flower beds. Yes, the rocks are still in your yard, but you now have a FREE border and don’t have to spend money on fancy fencing or edging materials.

2) Too plain for you? Paint them up! Get the kids, or the neighborhood kids together, give them paint and rocks and let them loose. Good way to keep them outside and occupied while you get something done. You can use the painted rocks to edge flower beds near the children’s play area or just for whimsy around your own flower beds.

3) Are you a good artist? Paint pictures on the rocks. Give them away for holiday gifts. Sell them at craft fairs.

4) Make a path. Make a short path or a long path with the rocks. Place flat cement pavers for walking and then surround the pavers by the rocks from your yard.

5) Have a sense of humor? Like whimsy in your garden? Make a cairn or two around the yard. Add some funny signs and watch your guests get a chuckle.

6) How about columns? Make your own stone column for the garden. Use cement tubes or chicken wire, add fast setting cement and rocks and VOILA! you have a column. Put a planter on top of it or train a vine around it. Make more than one and have your own personal Stonehenge!

7) Make a dry bed/stream – add a bridge and you have the start of a lovely Japanese garden

Use them to weigh down lightweight planters. Put a layer of rocks on the bottom (not too much unless you don’t plan on moving the planter), then add styrofoam peanuts then potting soil.

9) Making a water feature? You have what you need for the natural look with all those rocks.

10) Keep a stack handy for distracting bunnies and other critters from nibbling on your flowers and veggies. I didn’t say HIT the critters – just startle them a bit!

11) Feel really ambitious? Make a rock wall – heck, make a little cabin!

12) Like smaller projects? Use them for mosaic. Cover a black plastic pot with stones (best if they have a flat side) for a creative planter.

You see – rocks may be a pain to remove from your flower beds but you CAN live with them and actually come to LIKE them. I actually have to PURCHASE rocks (gasp) because there are no more for me to dig up and use!

Rock on!