Fake Rocks Are Natural Landscape Accents

Spring is here and do-it-yourself enthusiasts are discovering how lightweight and realistic replicas of 1,000 lb boulders can affordably complete their landscape design project.

Oxnard, CA (PRWEB) April 8, 2008 -- With the arrival of spring, homeowners across the country are gearing up for months of warm weather and improvements to their yards and gardens, either with assistance from landscape professionals or by putting on their boots and gloves and digging in themselves.

Those in the do-it-yourself crowd have learned they can accomplish a lot on their own, but up until now have always been at a distinct disadvantage from the pros when it came to adding one key element of most attractive designs ... large rocks and boulders.

In fact, anyone who has ever attempted to find, move and place real rocks and boulders that weigh hundreds -- if not thousands -- of pounds quickly discovers it is an expensive, time-consuming and nearly impossible effort that's usually best left to those with the equipment, manpower and resources to make it happen.

That's why savvy homeowners who are determined to be closely involved in their own project and want the back-to-nature look of real rocks without dealing with the costs and logistics associated with installing them are often excited to know suppliers of fake or artificial boulders can help.

Whereas in the past it was nearly unthinkable for a do-it-yourselfer to bring heavy natural boulders into suburban homes -- frequently with their smaller yards and limited access -- or many floors above ground at increasingly popular urban rooftop gardens, today's manufacturers of fake rocks offer a practical alternative.

"We've been amazed at how much interest there is in our products," says Stephen Hartmann, marketing director for Oxnard, Calif.-based Artificial Rocks Factory, which ships 50 to 60 pound cast stone replicas of 800 to 1,000 pound boulders by FedEx Ground to residential and commercial customers throughout North America.

"Although we're supposed to be going into a recession, we're seeing sales increase which seems to prove there's still demand for unique items that enhance home living while giving do-it-yourself enthusiasts the opportunity to take charge of what goes in their landscapes."

A variety of fake rock manufacturers have sought to create a balance between offering durable, affordable and realistic products using fiberglass, cast stone and polyurethane materials to complete landscape designs, for address and welcome plaques, and to conceal pumps, septic tanks, utility and cable TV boxes, and other items.

And while there are still fake rocks in the marketplace that some would say bear a questionable resemblance to the real thing, many suppliers have mastered what their customers feel are very lifelike fake rocks, typically available through online retailers in a range of sizes and priced from $49.95 to $349.95.

The Artificial Rocks Factory offers 20 different styles handcrafted from cast stone in three colors that are hollow and open at the bottom on its website (http://www.ArtificialRocksFactory.com) where visitors can click on the $149 models and watch them spin in 360 degrees, allowing all sides to be seen.

"Many parts of the country are having problems with drought," Hartmann points out, "And we're also finding a growing number of homeowners are replacing some or all of their expensive lawns with low-maintenance and water-saving xeriscape designs accented with boulder reproductions."

He explains that some of the most beautiful projects he's seen recently have actually consisted of drought-tolerant plants matched with his company's fake boulders and a new generation of synthetic grass from other suppliers.

"I guess if friends and neighbors are tricked into thinking it's real from a short distance away then it doesn't matter whether it is ... or not," he laughs.

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