Some people think that landscaping rocks are expensive, but the truth is that you can get free landscaping rocks if you know where to look.
If you’re planning on adding some landscaping rocks to your home, here are some places where you can get them for free:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Landscaping rocks can add texture, contrast, and appeal to any outdoor space. |
| There are multiple ways to get free landscaping rocks, such as checking with local landscapers or construction companies, searching online marketplaces, or using materials found on your property. |
| Some cheap landscaping rock options include pea gravel, crushed stone, or decomposed granite. |
| It’s crucial to consider the size, shape, and color of your landscaping rocks to ensure they match your yard’s overall aesthetic and theme. |
| Landscaping rocks can serve many purposes, such as creating walkways, borders, ground cover, or as decorations for a garden or outdoor display. |
Find New Construction Sites
The first step in getting free landscaping rocks is to look for new construction sites. This can be a great way to get free rocks because they are usually just leftovers, but they are also very heavy and may need to be delivered directly to your home or business.
When you find a new construction site, ask if they have any leftover landscaping rock that they’re planning on throwing away.
If not, ask them if they would be willing to give some samples away so that you can take them home with you in order to see whether or not the color is right for your project (you know what I’m talking about). If the color isn’t right, then no harm done since nothing was spent! Just go back another time when looking for more options!
If there aren’t any options available at this site or anywhere else nearby, then it might be worth calling up other businesses who specialize in installing landscape materials like mulch or topsoil and asking them if there’s anything available near where you live (again: no harm done!).
It could even turn out that these companies offer free delivery services as well—just remember not all businesses will have this option available; only those who think highly enough of their products’ quality will do so!
Looking for a way to add some character to your landscaping without breaking the bank? Check out our guide on where to buy cheap landscaping rocks near me for ideas on how to save money when buying landscaping materials.
Check Local Landscaping Companies
You can often find landscaping companies that are looking for free rocks if you know where to look. Because landscaping companies need a large number of rocks, they often have high turnover and need to get rid of them as soon as possible.
This means that they may be willing to give you some free stones if you pick them up yourself and haul them away.
Also keep in mind that many landscaping companies have different types of rocks available depending on their location and specialty (e.g., river rock or boulders).
So when looking through the classified ads or online directories, don’t just search under “landscaping” but also look under specific types of stone such as limestone or sandstone.”
Local Landscaping Companies
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can often obtain large quantity of rocks for free or at low cost. | May require owning a truck or trailer to transport rocks. |
| You can also get rid of unwanted rocks that you already have. | May need to negotiate with the company to get the rocks for free. |
| Useful for finding specific types and sizes of rocks. | Companies may not be willing or able to give rocks away. |
| Opportunities to build relationships with local landscaping professionals. | Their available rock collection may not match the aesthetic or style of your outdoor space. |
Go to the Crushed Rock Suppliers
If you need landscaping rocks, but don’t have the budget for a rock yard, consider going to the source of crushed rock—the suppliers.
You may be surprised to find that many crushed rock suppliers will actually sell their materials (usually in bulk) at a much lower rate than what they’d charge if you were buying it from them on-site.
Just make sure that whatever you’re getting is truly “crushed” and not just “bagged up.” Most residential supply yards will sell you larger bags of loose material, which increases costs due to shipping and storage fees. These fees can add up quickly if you’re planning on ordering several hundred pounds or more!
Landscaping rocks can be a great way to add natural appeal to any outdoor space. But where can you find them? Check out our guide on where can I find landscaping rocks explained for tips on where to look and how to choose the right rocks for your project.
Search for Subdivisions Undergoing Development
- Search for New Construction Sites
You can find new construction sites in the area where you want to locate your landscaping rocks. The contractors and landscapers hire local stone suppliers who offer a variety of sizes of rocks, gravel and sand.
These materials are used as base material that is spread over the ground surface before laying down the sod or seeding it with grasses and flowers.
- Inquire With Local Landscaping Companies
Landscape companies often have a stockpile of old broken concrete pieces or discarded slabs which they use as a base material for their work.
If they do not have enough material to meet their requirements at one time, then they will purchase extra quantities from suppliers who offer crushed rock products such as flags or paving stones that match their existing inventory better than those purchased directly from quarries or bulk suppliers at wholesale prices (which are usually higher).
So if you have some money saved up then this could be another option for getting cheap landscaping rocks even without having any connections within your community!
Visit the Nurseries and Garden Centers
You can find landscaping rocks at local nurseries and garden centers. These stores will often have a large selection of landscaping materials, so you may be able to get the materials you need for free or with a discount.
Additionally, they may also carry other landscaping-related items like gardening tools, plants, and mulch. They can also provide you with a list of other local nurseries that sell rock for your project if one is not within driving distance from where you live.
Building a beautiful garden or backyard doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require some planning and strategy. Check out our guide on how do you build landscaping explained for step-by-step instructions on how to create a beautiful landscape in your yard.
Look for Slag at Local Dump Sites
Slag is a by-product of the steel making process and can be found in the form of concrete or rock. It is available for free or for a small fee at local dump sites. Check with your city to find out where you can get slag.
Slag at Local Dump Sites
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Slag can often be found for free or for a small fee at local dump sites. | May take time and effort to find a place that has slag available. |
| Can often obtain large quantity of slag for a low cost. | May require owning a truck or trailer to transport slag. |
| Useful for creating hardscapes or foundations due to its durability. | Limited options for sizes, shapes, and colors. |
| Slag can be a sustainable choice for landscaping materials as it is a by-product of the steel making process. | May not be suitable for all types of landscaping projects. |
| Can add texture, contrast, and visual appeal to an outdoor space. | Slag may not match the aesthetic or style of your outdoor space. |
Search on Your Favorite Online Classified Site
The first step is to do some searching on your favorite online classified site. The best places are Craigslist and Kijiji, but there are also plenty of options on Facebook Marketplace, Letgo, Oodle and other sites.
You can search for “free landscaping rocks” or “free landscaping stone” and the results will show you plenty of people who want to get rid of the stones they have in their yards.
Often times these stones were used for a project that was completed then left behind because the owner didn’t want them anymore or couldn’t fit them into their yard design.
Some people also have extra rock as part of their business, such as a local tool rental company or landscaper who may not need all the rocks they already have on hand at any given time.
You could also find a local rock supplier who would love it if someone came by and picked up the little extras they have lying around at no cost or just a small fee (which is still cheaper than buying new ones).
Landscape edging can help keep your yard looking tidy and well-maintained, but it can be a bit of a challenge to install. Check out our guide on how do you install landscaping edge explained for tips on how to install edging that will help keep your outdoor space looking its best.
Go to the Paving Companies
If you want to get your hands on some free landscaping rocks, the best place to look is at a paving company.
The reason: they often have old or broken rocks that they need to move out of the way and dispose of. If they are willing to let you take them off their hands, it’s win-win for everyone involved!
The only catch is that you will probably have to dig and lift them yourself—but it’s a small price to pay for getting these beautiful chunks of stone without spending any money on them.
Ask Your Landlord or Property Manager
If the land you’re working on is yours, or if you’re just renting the space, ask your landlord or property manager if they have any rocks lying around that aren’t being used for anything. If so, see if you can use them for landscaping purposes.
If not, ask them if they know of any places where you could get free rocks from. They might know of some quarries or mines nearby that will let someone take away as many rocks as they want without charge.
Landscaping stones can be a great way to add depth and texture to any outdoor space. But where can you find them? Check out our guide on where to get landscaping stone explained for tips on where to look and what to look for when shopping for landscaping stones.
Get Recommendations from Your Friends and Family
You can ask your friends and family for recommendations. If you have a landscaping company in mind, ask them about their favorite stone supplier as well.
Ask the people who work at the dump. They can sometimes give you a list of suppliers in their area who will deliver large quantities of rock to your home for free!
Ask the people at your local nursery, too—they’ll know all sorts of ways that you could get free rocks from other places like construction sites or demolition companies (if they’re not busy).
Check the Dumpsters in Your Area
Check the dumpsters in your area. If you live in an urban or suburban area, there is a good chance that at least one of your neighbors has a landscaping business.
This business will likely have some extra rocks lying around, and if they aren’t using them, they may be happy to give them away to someone who wants them.
The best way to find out what’s available is by checking trash day: just walk down the street and look for bright orange bags that say “trash.” Go through these bags until you find something resembling landscaping rock it may be loose boulders or broken concrete blocks.
If this technique sounds too risky for you (or if you don’t want to deal with carrying heavy things), try asking at local businesses or community centers for any boulders they might have lying around; some companies donate unused materials all the time.
Conclusion
The best thing about free landscaping rocks is that they’re so easy to find. You don’t have to spend a ton of money on expensive materials, and you don’t need to pay someone else to do the work. All you have to do is keep your eyes open and go where there are lots of rocks!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you might find helpful:
How to Get Free Rocks for Your Garden: This article from The Spruce offers tips on how and where to find rocks for free to use in your garden.
Get Free Rocks for Your Landscaping Project: This article from Landscaping Planet provides various ways to get free rocks of different sizes and shapes for your landscaping project.
What is the Cheapest Rock for Landscaping?: This article from Heroes Lawn Care explains the pros and cons of different types of rocks for landscaping and offers tips on how to save money on landscaping rock.
FAQs
What are landscaping rocks?
Landscaping rocks are any type of stone or rock used to decorate a garden or outdoor space, such as gravel, river rocks, or boulders.
How can I get free landscaping rocks?
You can get free landscaping rocks by checking with local landscapers, construction companies, or by searching online marketplaces like Craigslist or Freecycle.
What is the cheapest rock for landscaping?
The cheapest rock for landscaping will depend on where you live and what type of rock is available in your area. Some cheap options include pea gravel, crushed stone, or decomposed granite.
What are the benefits of using landscaping rocks?
Landscaping rocks can help to improve the look and feel of your outdoor space, provide texture and contrast, and require minimal maintenance compared to other landscaping options.
What are some common ways to use landscaping rocks?
Landscaping rocks can be used to create walkways, borders, ground cover, or as part of a decorative garden display.
My name is Hellen James, and I’m a home improvement blogger. As a blogger who writes about how to make your homes better, I’ve learned that everyone wants to know more about their houses and what they can do with them.