If you’re looking to change up the landscaping design in your garden, then rocks may be on your shopping list.
Rocks are great to break up spaces with pathways, features, borders, and even aquatic features.
Unfortunately, garden rock can be pricey – good quality rocks and stone can be hundreds of dollars per ton!
So, if your on a landscaping budget, finding free garden rocks (without contravening the law) will significantly decrease the costs associated with a new garden style.
In This Article – We will share 7 places to procure some decent garden rocks and how to clean them up so they are ready for your backyard.
What are the best rocks for a garden?
Understanding the rocks that will suit your garden will allow you to focus on the best free stuff.
But the fact is, not all rocks are going to be suited for gardens.
Volcanic rock or lava rock can be difficult because it is porous and can break down.
Here are 6 specific types of landscaping rock to keep an eye out for.
River rock
These smooth rocks and pebbles are a great find if you want a tough and good looking garden rock.
The type used in the garden would be 1 to 3 inches in diameter, although you can find smooth stones that are larger for a more dramatic look.
Looks Good – River rock is good looking and will look good in water features or to fill gaps between larger stones.
Flagstones
If you can get some flags they are fantastic find because they can be expensive.
But just a few can change look good on your paving or make for nice peaceful stepping stones.
This sedimentary rock can then be used to make stone walls orutznds suited for a landscaping project.
Decomposed granite
For a country feel in your backyard, lay worn pieces of roughly finished granite on paths or around shrubs.
You might even find some free surplus bags since decomposed granite is very inexpensive and readily available.
Marble rock
Chipped marble is beautiful in your yard.
It’s pricey stuff, so if you can come up with a bag of chips left over from someone else’s project, you’ve scored!
You might just want to use chips or chunks of this beautiful rock to accent your features or as a mulch for certain areas.
One thing to remember is that marble is alkaline and can change the pH of the soil around it.
This is fine if you have alkaline-loving plants such as lavender or lily of the valley, but your acid-lovers may not do so well.
Boulders
Boulders are the big guys of garden rock.
They are a great addition to any garden and are certainly worth going large so kids can climb down them!
A boulder can cost up to $300 or so, so you can save 100s of $$$ if you can find them for free.
Keep in mind that you will also need to be able to move the boulder you have claimed into your yard.
Beach pebbles
Beach pebbles are super smooth with plenty of colors that bring back all the warm fuzzy memories of the ocean.
They’re a safe choice for water features or a mulch on your flower garden.
So where can I get free garden rocks?
They aren’t too complicated to find, but you need to watch the road and be ready to look.
You’ll also likely have to be willing to take out a whole ton of free material which could be the cost of getting the material for free.
Check out these 7 easy ways to get free rock for your backyard.
#1. Ask a landscaper or gardener.
Landscapers, land management contractors, and gardeners may be fantastic sources of surplus or recently removed rocks that may be perfect for your new rockery.
You could be doing them a huge favour by giving them the opportunity to offload waste that would otherwise be costly to dispose of.
Tip – Give some of your local landscapers a call and see where it leads.
#2. Landowners and farmers.
If you happen to be near some farmers or landowners, why not contact them (without trespassing) to see if they have any rocks or stones they want removed?
A good clue is skips or heavy machinery out front.
#3. Craigslist.
Search craigslist and other classifieds where folks are advertising free rocks.
Maybe they got carried away during a reno project, or maybe it’s been cleared to go to the dump, and they are having you intercept it!
You might also score other garden items like railroad sleepers or topsoil!
#4. Social media shout-outs.
Give your social media tribe a shoutout and ask for the rock you need.
Friends, followers and connections online can help spread your request, or scout groups to locate the rocks you want.
#5. Construction sites.
Building contractors can also give away excess hardcore or other rocks used in concrete footings and foundations.
Watch out for hazards and machinery if you are walking onto a construction site, try to approach the foreman rather than roam around the site.
#6. Skips and curbside sacks.
If folks are cleaning up their yard, they may also toss away usable materials, such as quality stone, rock, etc.
Take a look around your neighborhood to see if there’s a sack of rock lying around.
#7. Dig for Victory!.
Yes, you’ll have to work for it, but if you have a rocky yard lawn.
You probably have a lot of the soil you need right under you.
If you are returfing your lawn as part of your garden project, or tilling a flower bed, your rotovator is probably hitting a few rocks!
Where not to hunt for free rock
Free stuff is awesome, but make sure you’re safe and not breaking the law.
Grifting rocks for your yard from the beach, rivers, parks or other public spaces is not only bad form but illegal too.
The same is true for trespassing on private property.
Construction sites, abandoned quarries and other industrial lands can be hazardous and should not be entered without consent.
Cleaning up your thrifted garden rock
If you’ve gotten your hands on some nice garden rocks for your landscaping scheme, they’re most likely coming in dirty.
Not only would your rock project have a greater appearance value, but cleaning and disinfecting your rocks lessens the chance you might introduce plant pests, diseases, and fungal spores which would harm your plants.
Cleaning the rocks is going to be laborious and tedious work, but the finish product will be worth the effort!
Here are the steps for getting those free rocks as clean and pristine as possible.
Give those rocks a good scrub down
It’s the job nobody bargained for.
Simply start by taking your garden hose, and rinsing those rocks down with water to remove the mud, mosses, and whatever other muck is stuck on them.
Then just dive right in using a stiff-bristled brush and a bucket of hot, soapy water, and scrub those rocks until they’re sparkling!
Those who can, powerwash!
You’ll have a great clean when you powerwash the rocks.
If you’re using a detergent that is plant safe, throw a little in the washer to help boost the clean.
Please note – on some washers you can adjust the power and you do not have to use the highest setting in order to get a clean, don’t want to chip or erode the rocks.
Disinfect with bleach
To be extra cautious about introducing unwanted pests and bugs into your garden ecosystem, spray the rocks off with a somewhat dilute bleach solution.
Then allow them to dry in the full sun until you are ready to use them.
Rounding up
You can see there’s quite a few good ways to find free rocks to landscape your yard.
And don’t forget, if you get too many – pass them along to someone else who is looking!