Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets

21 April
I think of outdoor spaces as an extension of indoor spaces. They can be decorated to add interest and intrigue. 


I enjoy having an outdoor living room in the summer, so I want the landscaping to be pretty and interesting to look at while I'm out there.


Landscaping with boulders and pallets is an easy and a lot of times free way to add a little interest to your yard and I have some ideas for where to get them and how to use them!

Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets



Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets

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Where to find boulders

  • Look around your own property. Make sure to check everywhere, I found three good size boulders in one hidden corner of my property!
  • If you can't find any on your property, ask your friends and neighbors.
  • Place a Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace want ad.
  • You can also purchase them at garden stores. Look for featherweight boulders (they are naturally created volcanic stones and weigh about 1/4th of the weight of granite, about 30 lbs. per cubic foot).

Where to place them

  • Place them next to plants, shrubs, and trees.
  • Use smaller ones to create borders.
  • Use them to disguise unsightly objects.
  • Use them to elevate planters or other objects.
  • If they have an area that holds water, use them for birdbaths.

I placed one next to the iris and I stacked a couple of smaller rocks behind it so I would have a pedestal to elevate the birdhouse.


Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets


I placed the largest of the three boulders next to this ornamental tree.


See that black tape around the tree branch? Oops! this rock was so big and heavy that when we dumped it out of the wheelbarrow it flopped over and took a chunk out of the tree 😪


I had heard somewhere that if you tape the bark back to the tree and add a little dirt it will heal itself.


So... my tree has a band-aid!


Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets

Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets


I put the last and smallest rock underneath another ornamental tree and put a birdhouse next to it.


Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets

Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets


I found these smaller rocks at my parent's house. I brought a bunch of them home and arranged them to create some interest in this corner of the yard and disguise the large tree trunk sticking up out of the ground.



Where to find pallets


Pallets are also easy to find for free.

  • Look in the free section on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
  • Look behind businesses next to dumpsters (be sure and ask first, don't assume you can just take them)
  • Ask friends and neighbors!

I found these in a neighbor's burn pile!


Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets

What to do with them


  • Make boardwalks and pathways.
  • Build planters.
  • Build a deck or step.

I used some to create a little pathway in part of the garden area of my yard.


You can use the whole pallet by just digging out some dirt and burying the bottom half of the pallet into the ground to resemble a boardwalk.


Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets


Learn how to make those adorable mushrooms here: Repurposed Wooden Bowl Mushrooms.


Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets

Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets


Or you can pull the boards off and use them by themselves to create a pathway.


Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets


With this method, you can place the boards closer together and create more of a sidewalk feel.


Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets


**UPDATE: I took the pallet boards with me when I moved and recreated the walkway. You can see more of that post here: Patio Refresh With a New Fountain.


Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets


You can also use them to create a deck or porch, Backyard Pergola Fix-Up.


Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets


It's easy to fix up your yard without spending a ton of money! You may also like the post about Incorporating Vintage into outdoor décor. 😊


I hope you enjoyed this post and got some ideas for your own home. I would love it if you would share this post!


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Landscaping with Boulders and Pallets
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