Ideas needed for using rocks in backyard.

Liz Johnston
by Liz Johnston
I have a lot (200+) of these rocks (not sure what kind they are) in my yard. They are irregular shapes and range is size from 2" x 6" to 8" x 14". I'm replacing them as border rocks and need ideas on other uses for them. Can these be used for a fire pit? seating area/small wall? Because they aren't flat, I'm not sure what to do with them. Please help!
What can I do with these rocks?
  8 answers
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jun 11, 2014
    One of the best uses for rocks is stacking them and putting dirt between in which you plant flowers. Put a few large rocks in the back with a few smaller ones on top, then move out and place some smaller ones in front (forming a type of bowl)...fill in between with dirt and plant some pretty flowers in that dirt. You can even sit garden accents on some of the flatter rocks, or a couple of flower pots with flowers! Paint your flower pots a pretty color with craft paint you can get inexpensively at the hobby store, or tie a ribbon around the pot and make a bow! Rocks can add such character to a garden.
  • Liz Johnston Liz Johnston on Jun 11, 2014
    Great! Thanks for your ideas. I'm definitely going to try some of them.
  • Chris aka monkey Chris aka monkey on Jun 11, 2014
    @Liz Johnston you can make a fire pit but you have to use something in the center like an old grill bowl or some such then just stack rocks around it i wish i had 25 or so of them for my yard xx
  • Chris aka monkey Chris aka monkey on Jun 11, 2014
    @Liz Johnston just for giggles i typed rocks into search area and came up with a lot of rock ideas...you do have to scroll past rocking chairs and this rocks but there is a lot of pics check it out xx
  • Carole Carole on Jun 11, 2014
    Use your rocks in a gabion. These gabions are used as retaining walls, feature walls, can be used as the base for a garden table or bench and so on. You can make it as big or small as you like and best of all it is so easy to do. The 'gabion' is a box like structure made from strong wire mesh which is just joined using clips at the corners of each piece and you can fill it with rocks, tiles or anything that takes your fancy. You can ask at your local hardware for the mesh - it comes flat - it is not on a roll and they would also sell the clips for it. Place your gabion at the site - you wont' be able to move it once it is full of rocks . If you Google "gabion" you will see what I am talking about. You can add a wooden top or simply for a retaining wall or feature in the garden, top it off with the same wire you use for the sides and bottom. It makes an attractive wall or feature in the garden and will be a real talking point.
  • Linda Logan Linda Logan on Jun 11, 2014
    Even though the rocks aren't flat, you can still use them for stepping stones. Use the smoothest side for the "stepping" side, then bury the rest of the rock. It's more work, but the end product looks the same. Good Luck! Rock on, Liz!
  • Renee Renee on Jun 13, 2014
    I had a similar problem in my backyard. It was filled with irregular pieces of concrete. I began using the rocks to create a one of kind border for my flower beds and organic garden. You can build herb beds too. Reuse what you have to create a new organic backyard.
  • Liz Johnston Liz Johnston on Jun 14, 2014
    Thanks for all the great suggestions! I could probably do a combination of things, but I really like the gabion idea.Not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I'll post pics when I finish.