How to Make Your Own Concrete Landscape Rocks

Landscape rocks enhance yards, gardens, ponds and fountain areas. Unfortunately they can be extremely heavy and quite expensive. Therefore these landscape fixtures may not be feasible or budget friendly. But, don't worry; there is another cheaper just as attractive alternative available to the innovative landscaper. Hollow landscape rocks can be made from concrete.

Materials:

Sample Images
Gloves
Cardboard box
Utility knife
Packing tape
¼-inch hardware mesh
Tin snips
Wire ties
Rock
Plastic drop cloth
Portland cement
Sand
Mixing bucket
Drill
Mixing drill bit
Trowel
Trash bag
Concrete spray paint

Build a frame with cardboard boxes and packing tape. The rock can be made in any size and in any shape. If needed, consult a sample image for rock ideas. Make sure to completely cover the cardboard with packing tape. This prevents the concrete from sticking to the frame.

Always place your leather work gloves onto your hands before working with the metal mesh.

Cut several pieces of hardware mesh from the roll. Shape the hardware mesh over the top of the cardboard box frame. This may take several pieces of hardware mesh, depending on the size of your boulder.

Use metal wire fasteners to fasten the hardware mesh to its self. If there are any places where the mesh is not against the cardboard; place packing tape on the inside of the mesh.

Mix the concrete with the drill and the mixing attachment. Use one part cement to three parts sand. Slowly add water until the mixture is thick and wet, but not completely liquid.

Place a plastic drop cloth on the ground to prevent concrete from sticking to the grass. Set the rock form in the middle of the plastic.

Apply the concrete mixture with the trowel. Start at the bottom and work from the bottom to the top. Completely concrete all sides of the rock form before starting the next layer. Make sure to apply each additional row of concrete so that it slightly overlaps each previous row.

Add more concrete to the top of the rock for extra definition. The concrete rock may appear smooth; extra concrete will make the rock appear more natural.

Cover the rock in plastic and let the concrete rest for 24 hours. During this time, spray the rock repeatedly with water so that it remains moist.

Mix more concrete so that it is runny like pancake batter. Cover the entire surface of the rock with the concrete batter. Sprinkle sand over the rock for additional texture.

Cover the rock with plastic and let the rock rest for another three days. Don't forget to spray the concrete with water during this time.

Paint the dried concrete with concrete spray paint. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before moving.

References:

Common Methods of Faux Rock Construction

How to Make Lightweight Artificial Rocks

Landscape Rock and Boulders Making Concrete Rocks