How to Create Fake Boulders

Purchase rebar or steel supports in a square or oval shape to form a heavy, supportive base for your fake boulder.

Cut the mesh screen using wire cutters. Cut a piece of mesh large enough to make the boulder you want.

Fit the mesh to your base and secure it to your boulder by wrapping the edges under and around your base.

Shape the screen over the base so that it looks like a boulder; the bottom of your boulder should still be open.

Place a trash bag inside your boulder and fill it with foam packing peanuts. Pack it tightly so that it supports the mesh boulder shape.

Put a sheet of cardboard over the bottom of the boulder before you turn it over so that the packing peanuts don't fall out as you continue working.

Cut the plywood using the saw so that it fits under your boulder. Turn the boulder over and sit it on top of the plywood for support while you finish creating it.

Unroll your steel wool into long strips. Purchase enough steel wool to completely cover your boulder.

Mix your cement according to the directions on the package until the cement mix is about the consistency of sour cream. Add cement dye if you want to make the color of the boulder more realistic.

Soak your steel wool strips in the cement mix until they are saturated. Work quickly so that the cement does not begin setting before you are done.

Lay the steel wool strips in crossing patterns over your mesh frame. Each strip should be about 1/2 inch thick.

Cover the boulder with a plastic sheet. Lift the sheet once a day for a week and spray the boulder with a mist of water until the cement has cured.

Remove the plywood, cardboard and trash big of packing peanuts before you place the boulder in your yard or garden.