Did you know that you could spend up to 47 days of your life mowing the yard? Not to mention the hours spent on outdoor tasks like weeding, watering, and fertilizing.
One way to save time, reduce water use, and improve your yard’s aesthetic is to invest in rock or mulch landscaping.
Before you buy, it’s a good idea to understand the differences between rock vs. mulch landscaping. Keep reading to learn more about key distinctions that will save you time and money in the long term.
What is Rock Landscaping?
Rock landscaping is best used around buildings, fire pits, pools, and trees and shrubs. Rocks are incredibly versatile and come in a range of colors and sizes. Landscaping rocks can include granite, lava rock, river rock, quartz, and pea gravel.
Rocks are a popular choice because they are decorative, low maintenance, and last for a long time. They also offer clear benefits to your yard, especially in dryer climates. Rocks provide wildfire protection because they are inflammable and reduce erosion in windy areas.
While rocks can create a unique landscape, there are some clear downsides. Rocks have a high upfront cost compared to mulch. They also don’t decompose or benefit your soil health in any way.
Rock cover can actually increase the soil temperature and change the soil pH—which negatively impacts plants. Also if you ever want to remove rocks, you’ll most likely have to do it by hand.
What is Mulch Landscaping?
Mulch is a popular choice for landscaping around trees, shrubs, and flower beds. Mulch offers little room for customization and usually comes in brown, black, or red.
Mulch is about 75% less expensive than decorative stone and provides clear benefits to your yard. Because it decomposes over time, it adds vital nutrients to your soil, reduces soil erosion, and regulates soil temperature. Mulch is also good at reducing water evaporation and preventing weed growth.
The clear downside of mulch is that it has a shorter lifespan. It needs to be replaced annually, which means the cost of maintaining mulch can quickly add up. Also, it is flammable and can be easily washed away by heavy rain.
Which is Better?
There are a number of factors to consider before making an investment in either mulch or rock landscaping. It’s important to consider your local climate, personal aesthetic, and the overall time investment you are willing to make.
Using mulch improves your soil health, but also requires annual replenishment. Rocks will provide minimal maintenance and upkeep, but won’t help your plants or save you water. If you are wondering which is better for your specific situation, it’s a great idea to consult professionals like those at Lush Green Landscapes in Grand Junction, CO.
The Difference Between Rock vs. Mulch Landscaping
Investing in landscaping is a great way to save yourself time, increase your curb appeal, and reduce water use. When choosing between rock vs. mulch landscaping, think about where you live and your long-term yard goals.
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