Selecting the Perfect Ground Cover for Your Garden
If you are wondering whether it’s better to use stone or mulch in landscape beds, you have come to the right place. While we cannot answer that question directly for you, we can provide you with the general characteristics of each type of landscaping product.
Stones Vs. Mulch
The number one advantage of stones over mulch is that they do not decompose. As a result, maintenance is reduced. All you need to do is to keep debris out of the rock beds.
Mulch must be replaced every season, while stones only require a top-dressing every 5-10 years.
Because stones do not decay, your beds will be fungi-free. Also, weed and fungi are less likely to grow in rock beds.
Stone is more expensive and much heavier than mulch. Because the stones weigh, the installation labor will be increased. However, in the long run, the initial investment will pay off as annual mulching will never be required from that point forward.
You may need to buy organic compost as stone does not decompose.
If you want your soil to retain more moisture, thou, you might better turn to mulch. But, you should know that adding stone to beds requires additional labor and materials than just mulching.
The bottom line is that stones are attractive, can help conserve water and require little maintenance, however, they do not provide nutrients or insulate the soil in the same ways as conventional organic mulch does.
If you would like to learn more about stones or mulch as a landscaping option, do not hesitate to contact the landscaping specialists in Colorado: All Around Soil and Stone. We are your one-stop-shop for all your landscaping needs.
