How to Make Artificial Boulders and Rocks

Large boulders and smaller rocks make excellent additions to a yard or garden. Besides breaking up flat, boring areas, they also add color and texture to landscaped sections. Natural rocks are heavy, which makes hauling and arranging them difficult. They can also be expensive, especially if you want high-quality stone. Creating artificial boulders and rocks saves money and makes landscaping easier and safer.

Chicken wire
Portland cement
Builder's sand
Peat moss
Acrylic fortifier
Water
Wheelbarrow
Hand trowel
Sea sponge
Black plastic sheeting
Spray bottle w/ mist setting
Concrete sealer
Paint brush
Wood (optional)
Plastic (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Shape the chicken wire into the form of a boulder or rock. Reinforce smaller frames by filling them with light materials, such as old plastic bags or chunks of polystyrene. Use wood or plastic to provide support for larger frames.
- 2
  For a medium-size rock, mix together the following in the wheelbarrow:
  
  20 pounds Portland cement
  20 pounds builder's sand
  One cubic foot compressed peat moss
  One quart acrylic fortifier
  
  Add enough water to create a mud-pie consistency. Use the hand trowel to stir. Total amounts of each ingredient will vary depending on the size of the mold that's being covered.
- 3
  Cover the entire mold with a three-inch-thick layer of this mixture. Apply the mixture with the sea sponge and hand trowel to help create believable textures. Create veins in the rock using the pointed end of the trowel.
- 4
  Place the boulder in a sunny spot and cover it with heavy black plastic sheeting. Let it cure for two-to-four days. Lift the plastic sheeting and mist the entire boulder lightly with water every three or four hours.
- 5
  Apply the concrete sealer with a paintbrush. Push lightly on the sides of the boulder and when there is no give, it is cured. Apply concrete sealer and allow it to dry for 3 to 4 hours.

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