Mulching flower beds is a sure sign that warmer weather has arrived each spring. Suddenly, everywhere you look, it’s nothing but flower beds sporting a fresh layer of dark brown mulch. But this essential practice is about more than keeping up appearances. Putting down mulch helps retain moisture, prevents erosion, and suppresses weeds.
Interestingly, people often forget that you have more than one option to choose from. No, I’m not talking about dyed or undyed mulch; I’m talking about stone instead of wood mulch.
Hoo Boy! What a Mess
When I moved into my new home this spring, I knew I had some serious work on my hands. The gentleman who lived here before me wasn’t much of a gardener, so the flower beds were quite neglected.
The beds were completely overrun, mostly with Creeping Charlie. I knew it was going to take a ton of work to reclaim them. Or a weekend, some landscape cloth, and a delivery of decorative gravel. But this wasn’t a decision made lightly. There was serious hemming and hawing over it, much to your benefit.
I was torn between stone and mulch.
I knew each had advantages and disadvantages, but I wasn’t sure what those were beyond how they looked. So, I spent some time digging on the internet, spoke to some local landscaping companies, and came away with a better understanding of both. Then, I called one of the landscapers back and ordered a load of Glacier River Stone 2B.
In the end, I chose decorative gravel because it costs less in the long run, it’s easier to maintain, it would make reclaiming my flower beds easier and faster, and I like its clean look. Not to mention, the snapping turtles won’t lay eggs in it every May.
I wanted the clean look of the stone around the house. We live right on the edge of woods and a creek, so I get all manner of critters in the backyard. I wanted to provide a buffer between the house and ‘the wild’ so we wouldn’t be caught off guard by anything lurking near the house. Having the light-colored stone allows us to see the snapping turtle/skunk/possum/feral cat giving birth to kittens in my spirea bush rather than be taken by surprise. (Okay, that last one was a nice surprise.)
Anywho, as I raked my gravel into place, I kept thinking, “I’ll bet the Rural Sprout readers could use this information.” as well as things like, “Good grief, this is heavy!” and “Where did all these mosquitoes come from?” and “Where did I set my water bottle down?”
So, here you go, friends. If you’re on the fence, here’s the low down on using decorative gravel or wood mulch.
Decorative Gravel vs. Wood Mulch – a (Mostly) Unbiased Comparison
Cost and Availability
Wood Mulch
Wood mulch is widely available. You can find it everywhere: garden centers, home improvement stores, local nurseries, even Walmart. The cost of wood mulch varies based on the type of wood used (cedar, pine, hardwood, etc.), but in general, it’s pretty cheap. You can purchase it in bags or bulk orders.
The price can range from $2 to $5 per cubic foot, with bulk purchases being even more cost-effective.
Decorative Gravel
Stone, or decorative gravel, is also pretty easy to find, although, depending on where you live, you may only be able to find it in bags at stores. It tends to be more expensive than wood mulch upfront. Again, prices vary depending on your location and the type and size of the stone. A rough average is $3 to $7 per cubic foot, but premium (more colorful stone mixes) types can run higher.
For comparison, I paid $98 per cubic yard for fancy “Glacial River 2B” creek pebbles. That works out to about $3.60 per cubic foot. Not too shabby.
The kicker here is that stone doesn’t need to be replaced; at best, you might need to top up thinner spots every five years or so. Wood mulch needs to be replaced every other season if not every season. In the long run, stone is the more cost-effective choice.
Weed Suppression
Wood Mulch
The main reason people use wood mulch is to suppress weeds. When applied thickly (at least 2-3 inches), wood mulch creates a good barrier preventing sunlight from reaching all those dormant weed seeds hanging out in the soil. However, wood mulch breaks down over time. If it’s not topped up every year, you get weeds. Not to mention, weed seeds that end up in your mulch via wind or animals have the perfect environment to grow in.
Decorative Gravel
Stone is also effective at suppressing weeds when applied several inches thick. Not to mention, if you use landscape cloth below it, the weight of the stone makes it nearly impossible for weeds to push through. However, the longer you have your stone, the more likely you’ll have weeds pop up from seeds that have been blown in or deposited by animals.
In this regard, there is a clear winner – landscape cloth. For either to be truly effective at suppressing weed growth, you need to start with a layer of landscape cloth beneath it.
Aesthetics
Wood Mulch
Wood mulch makes for a natural, earthy aesthetic that looks good with most garden styles. It’s available in various colors (natural brown, black, red) and looks more natural overall. It fits nicely with flowers and foliage, adding visual warmth to the garden. However, wood mulch fades quickly in the sun and rain. It can start to look old even in the same season it was put down, and if you don’t put a fresh layer down each spring, it can make your garden and landscape look unkempt.
Decorative Gravel
Stone, on the other hand, offers a more modern, polished look. It comes in various shapes, sizes, and colors, from smooth river rocks to crushed granite, allowing you to customize the look of your garden beds. Stone tends to have a more permanent and clean appearance and works well in xeriscape or minimalist garden designs. However, its hard, barren aesthetic might not blend as naturally with certain styles of flower beds or the style of your home.
Upkeep and Maintenance
Wood Mulch
Because wood mulch decomposes over time, it needs to be reapplied. You’ll also need to rake and fluff the mulch periodically to prevent compaction, which can limit airflow and water absorption. Additionally, wood mulch can become a breeding ground for pests, and you might play host to some interesting fungal growths during periods of rain.
Decorative Gravel
Stone mulch is low-maintenance but not maintenance-free. Debris can accumulate between the stones, leading to weeds. You may need to blow or rake out debris now and then. You might have to add more stones to maintain the depth as they settle over time. Additionally, stone can shift or scatter if you don’t have a barrier at the edge.
Ease of Installation
Wood Mulch
Wood mulch is relatively easy to install. It can be spread by hand or with a rake, and because it’s lightweight, you don’t need specialized equipment to move it around unless you order it in bulk. This makes wood mulch ideal for DIY gardeners looking to refresh their flower beds quickly and easily. However, since wood mulch needs to be reapplied regularly, installation becomes an ongoing task, year after year.
Decorative Gravel
Installing gravel is more labor-intensive due to its weight. Moving stones around requires more effort, and for larger projects, you may need equipment like wheelbarrows or even machinery to move it. Once installed, though, gravel is pretty hands-off, requiring little maintenance over the years.
Effect on Plants and Soil
Wood Mulch
Wood mulch definitely has an impact on soil health. It adds organic matter to the soil, improving soil structure, aeration, and water retention. This can be especially beneficial for flower beds, as it promotes a healthy root environment. Additionally, wood mulch is better at regulating soil temperature by keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, creating a stable environment for plant roots.
A potential downside is that decomposing wood mulch can tie up nitrogen in the soil as microorganisms break it down, which could lead to nutrient deficiencies for plants. If you mulch with wood, it will be important to test your soil and fertilize with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Decorative Gravel
Stone doesn’t decompose or provide any nutrients to the soil. While it helps retain moisture, it can also heat up quickly in direct sunlight, potentially raising soil temperatures to levels that could stress or damage plants. Stone mulch is best suited for heat- and drought-tolerant plants, like succulents and other xeriscape species, but it might not be ideal for more delicate flowers or moisture-loving plants.
Environmental Impact
This one feels like a toss-up.
Wood Mulch
Wood mulch can be an environmentally friendly option if sourced from sustainable, renewable resources. As it decomposes, it enriches the soil and can support microbial activity in your soil. However, certain types of dyed wood mulch may contain chemicals or come from unsustainable forestry practices.
Decorative Gravel
Stone can’t contribute to your soil health like wood mulch can. However, once installed, stone mulch doesn’t need to be replaced, so it creates less waste over time. However, the environmental impact of quarrying and transporting stone should be considered, as it can contribute to carbon emissions and habitat loss where it’s quarried.
I tried to keep my comparisons pretty non-biased based on the information I received about both mulch and decorative gravel. In the end, it all boils down to personal preference. Hopefully, this information will help you choose which is best for you. Now seriously, where did I leave my water bottle?
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