What to do w/ lava rock?

A friend acquired about 2 yds of lava rock and asked me if there is something he can do with it in the garden. So I am asking you.

some people are using crushed lava rock as a cheaper alternative to expanded shale. Either one is a great amendment for clay soils.
So (1) if your friend has clay soil, she can use her lava rock to improve her soil (2) if she has the time and energy to crush the rocks into smaller pieces (I wouldn't BTW)

The other use would be as decorative mulch. Very popular in places like Arizona, NM, and the rest of the arid west.

Crush the rock w/ what? I just can't imagine putting "crush rock" on ones to-do list.

oh I personally know an old retired man that has done it, using a mallet-type hammer. He had plenty of time and considered this a form of exercise. Who'd do this? The kind of person that thinks straining his/her back is worth saving 50%. Though I wouldn't do it, the lava rock is relatively easy to crush. It is kinda spongey.

We used lava rocks that we found to fill in like mulch on this island. This photo was from 2005 before Rita took out that tree. The tree fell over on my house and the roots upheaved bigtime. I salvaged as much of the lava rocks as I could, which was about 5 waybigo black planters full.

Janet

We put black plastic under it. Very rarely did any weeds poke their heads up through the rocks.

If you plan a pond, you can use it as a colony for the beneficial bacteria that you add. I used it in mine but I would go with a lighter option if I did it over again.

Unique..., I like your island. Did you build it? How deep is it?

Just found this and want to add that lava rock as a mulch is a wonderful deterent to slugs, snails and neighborhood cats looking for a new litterbox. None of them like the sharp edges.

Etta

Anastasia, that island is no more. I loved it, but when Rita took out that tree, it turned about 30 degrees and upheaved in a majorly way. My hubby spent months cutting the tree out of there.

To this day, 1 1/2 years later, that area where the tree was is still hideous. insurance paid to have it removed, but hubby was bound and determined to do it himself. To give him credit, he did completely get rid of another one that was almost as big that fell.

Last year, it was covered in cannas and portulaca in a variety of colors. The hummers and butterflies loved it. I've tried hard not to be a nag about it, but it's time for that mess to go!!! I told him tonight that I was going to find out how much it would cost to hire someone to clean out that mess so I can plant a butterfly garden there WITHOUT THE CARCASS of that tree. Taking a deep breath now.... I'm ok.

I spent quite a bit of time collecting all of that lava rock after the storm in 2005. I re-used some of it this weekend creating a cactus and succulent garden in the area where that sago palm is. Here is the thread, if you'd like to see the new garden. http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/700761/ Lots of photos and close up shots.

I want to add one more thing about that and then I'll shut up. My hubby managed to salvage a pretty big slab from that tree. He made a table out of it for the outside. It's not perfect, and it's starting to sag a bit now. It's sitting on several slices of the tree and has my waybigo night blooming cereus on it.

We had several stumps removed from our yard about 10 yrs ago and it was way less $ then I expected. Under $100 for both at that time.

Hubby said last night that he doesn't think a stump grinder will work on the remaining chunks of tree that is embedded in that hole.

I just want it all gone so I can start with a clean slate there. I still have several big planters of lava rocks. I'll use them in some way in my yard. We dug them up from a discard pile at a job site several years ago. Brought home (5-6) 5 gallon buckets of them for free. I just love free stuff. :-)

Janet