Landscaping Rock Versus Mulch
It’s about that time of the year to get your mulching needs taken care of, folks!
And when it comes to mulching, you’ve got two options: organic mulch (aka mulch made from tree bark) or inorganic mulch (aka stones, rocks, etc etc).
Both types of mulch have pros, and both have cons. So how do you know which one is best for you? That’s what we’re here to discuss today:
Ok, so if you want to go with inorganic mulch (I’m just gonna refer to it as ‘mulch’ from here on out), you can choose from a variety of types and colors.
Same goes for inorganic mulch, which I refer to as landscaping rock. (Some people call it rock mulch. Whatever floats your boat, though, eh.)
Anyways, mulch and landscaping rock both have their pros and cons, and that’s what I’m gonna talk about today. Let’s get into it:
Cost
Mulch and landscaping rock both require a decent investment, depending on how much area you need to cover.
That being said, landscaping rock will definitely set you back more upfront compared to mulch.
Depending on the type of landscaping rock you go with, you’re gonna end up paying 2-3x more than you would for mulch. I’m being general here, because it can really vary.
There’s good news here, though! While landscaping rock costs more upfront, you’ll probably end up paying less over time.
That’s because landscaping rock is kind of a one-and-done deal, whereas mulching is something you’re gonna do between 1-2 times every year.
So you pay more for landscaping rock in the beginning, but you’re getting a low-maintenance solution that should last forever.
In the long run, installing landscaping rock will probably save you money compared to traditional mulch.
Put another way, mulch usually costs less upfront, but more in the long run.
However, there’s definitely more to consider when it comes to choosing between mulch or landscaping rock, so let’s get to the next category, which is:
Appearance
Ok so this one is definitely subjective, dependant on a couple of different factors, and sometimes just comes down to personal preference.
When it comes to landscaping rock, you’ve got tons of options in size, color, and even shape, so you can really do a lot with landscape design when you incorporate landscaping rock into your plan.
For example, landscaping rock can look really great as a transition from hardscaping elements, like your paved walkways and patios, to softer elements, like your grass and garden. (P.S. click here if you’re not quite sure what hardscaping is.) ((make that a link to the what is hardscaping page)
Plus, landscaping rock is pretty low-maintenance.
You may have to deal with some of the rocks settling over time (could require a bit of fresh stone, or some help from you to rearrange the existing stones a bit), or you might need to clean out some fallen leaves or other debris that gets into the stones.
You also might need to spray it with water every so often to keep it looking fresh and prevent too much dirt from collecting (which could allow weeds to take root).
In other words, you do have to spend a bit of time and energy keeping your landscaping rock clean. But not too much.
On the other hand, mulch is a higher-maintenance landscaping element. Lots of mulches are dyed brown, black, or red, and they look pretty dang snazzy when they’re new and freshly laid.
And they do retain that beautiful color for a good while, but eventually the color will fade (thanks to a combo of rain and sunshine).
So that’s a bummer from the appearance perspective, but a good thing from a soil-health perspective. See the next section for the why:
Soil Health
In the beginning of this post, I referred to mulch as organic, and that’s a big pro.
Mulch made from tree back is organic material, and as such, will eventually decompose and return nutrients back to the soil.
Our plants kind of like that. Actually, they really like that:
This 2016 study from the United States Forest Service shows that walnut and other fine hardwoods can experience between about 80-90% improved growth compared to trees without mulch.
Pretty wild, huh?
It does make sense, though. We tend to perform better - grow better trees, if you will - when we’re well-fed, too.
Landscaping rock, on the other hand, does not feed the soil. Actually, landscaping rock can make your soil alkaline, and most trees like acidic soil. And I know we all want healthy trees, so we’ve gotta be aware of the kind of environment we’re helping create for them.
One more thing:
The last thing to note is that plant beds made from landscaping rock tend to be warmer than their mulch counterparts, thanks to stone’s ability to retain heat.
So you gotta know what your plants can handle. Flowers won’t do so great in rock beds, but drought-tolerant plants (like succulents) are gonna do alright.
Aaaand there we have it! If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out and I’ll be happy to talk you through the best options for your needs.
As always, you know you can call or text me, and you know I’m gonna get back to you ASAP. (And don’t forget, quotes are free!)