27 Creative and Inspiring Rock Ideas for Your Next Outdoor Project

When it comes to landscaping, rocks are often an overlooked resource. They’re affordable and come in an infinite number of colors and sizes.

Once you get started, your imagination will start to run wild with rock ideas for your outdoor projects. They can be used to create water features, direct rainwater, and prevent erosion.

Use rocks in place of mulch, to keep down weeds, and hide things like extension cords and irrigation systems.

Look at classified ads for bargains. Many homeowners will buy in bulk and sell what they don’t use at a discount just to get it out of their yard.

What is the cheapest rock to use for landscaping?

While most of you will agree on pea gravel as the cheapest landscaping rock, there are also other inexpensive options like river rocks and pebbles.

To spark your imagination, here’s a list of thirty ways other homeowners have used rocks in their own gardens.

1. Add Water Feature to a Rock Garden

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2. Try a Traditional Japanese Garden

Rocks are an important part of Japanese gardens. They define zones, can be used as stepping stones, and can be used to build up water features.

Finely crushed white marble mimics the look of sand in a Zen garden. Larger boulders will slow the growth of the trees planted next to the house.

3. Rock Garden With Waterfall and Koi Pond

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Koi ponds are symbols of wealth and prosperity. By finishing the bottom of this pond with rocks, a manmade pond looks like a natural part of the landscape.

Using large rocks to build up the sides of the pond saves time and money.

4. Dragonfly Created With Stepping Stone & River Rocks

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5. Large Rocks Around Pond and Pea Gravel Path

Create zones in your backyard using rocks of different types and colors. Crushed brown gravel is used on the path. You can use rocks in most outdoor landscape styles.

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