How To Source Free Or Discounted Gravel For All Your Yard & Garden Projects

You might consider all the ways you can use gravel in your yard, and for good reason. The benefits of using gravel for outdoor home projects are hard to beat, as the small rocks can help manage weeds while also lasting much longer than other materials such as mulch. There's also a big downside to consider with gravel, though: the cost. While the exact cost of bagged gravel can vary based on rock sizes, this landscaping material can undoubtedly add up in price. Needing large quantities can also easily break your budget.

Before you give up on using landscape gravel due to affordability concerns, you might consider ways you may be able to find discounted gravel in your area. In some cases, you might even luck out and get some gravel for free. Just keep in mind that these methods can take a bit more work upfront to help you save big on gravel. Also, you may end up with a mix of different types of rock to use in landscaping that can give your outdoor spaces a bit more character, instead of a more uniform look you can achieve by buying the materials from a store.

One quick way you can easily decrease the overall cost of gravel is by getting it in bulk. Rather than being sold in small individual bags, it is typically sold by the yard or ton, which can be more practical if you need larger quantities for an extensive yard project. Other ways include social media or online classified ads, asking neighbors and friends, and seeing if any construction or landscaping companies have some leftover gravel they want to get rid of.

Aside from buying gravel in bulk directly from a landscaping supply company, there are possible ways you may be able to reduce the cost even further. First, you might consider industries in your area that might have leftover rocks they no longer need and want to sell them at a reduced price. These may include construction and landscapers, as well as local quarries and recycling centers that take yard waste. Just make sure you call ahead first and ask them about the quantity of any gravel they are looking to get rid of so that you can properly transport it. In most cases, a pickup truck or utility trailer is best for transporting large amounts of bagless gravel.

Another method is to look around online. Since getting rid of extra gravel can take a lot of labor and money, you might find individuals who are looking to give these rocks away for free. You may find someone on social media or on online classifieds looking to give away gravel, or you can even post your own ad. It's also important to take a look at the top gravel types to consider for your yard or garden before posting any ads asking for these rocks.

If you're dealing with an unknown individual instead of a company or local government entity, be sure to have someone go with you and to only do the gravel exchange outdoors in the open for safety reasons. Also, don't discount neighbors who might be doing outdoor remodeling and might have leftover gravel.