Assess using stone vs. mulch and select the correct mulch for your garden!

If you are researching for mulch, you have lots of resources at your disposal. The mulch you pick for your garden can have a significant impact on the visual appeal and the price of tree care services. Bark mulch is typically used in garden and flowerbeds to safeguard ornamental plants. On the other hand, stone mulch is crushed stone and is used along driveways, around buildings, and along walkways.

Bark MulchOrchard Park Tree Using Mulch Around Landscaping

This is the most popular and affordable type of mulch, made from shredding tree bark. Bark mulch is a product of various trees, the natural being hemlock, oak, pine, cedar, and cypress.

Bark Mulch Advantages

Bark mulch has many benefits. First off, it is very affordable since it is relatively cheap. You can apply it yourself with just a shovel. With bark mulch, the soil keeps its moisture, and you save on your water usage.

Bark Mulch Disadvantages

Bark mulch has some attributes that might not work for you. Because it decays, bark mulch needs to be replenished occasionally. The shades and hues will fade and could no longer work to the enhancement of your garden. Also, shredded bark could be taken away by strong winds or washed away due to heavy storms. An arborist can consult with you if you need assistance with the types of trees would do best with mulch.

Stone Mulch

Stone mulch comes in an assortment of gravel and rocks like pea gravel, river rock, granite, quartz rock, and lava rock, varying in hues, textures, and sizes.

Stone mulch doesn’t decay and doesn’t warrant replacing like bark mulch. The assortments of landscape stone available guarantees you get the best aesthetic value for your outdoor space. Since rock mulch doesn’t keep moisture, it diminishes the probability of fungus growing. The little maintenance required for stone mulch has a bearing on the overall cost.

Stone Mulch Disadvantages

Stone mulch is pricier and more substantial than bark mulch, making it difficult to install. Its aesthetic value deteriorates if a big pile of leaves covers the mulch. It doesn’t offer any soil-building advantages since stone mulch doesn’t decompose. You may have to put in a weed barrier to stop weeds from growing in between the rock layer. By using a weed barrier, you can stop the increase of invasive plants. Choosing stone vs mulch is sometimes an aesthetic choice, but sometimes it just comes down to the practicality of which works best for you.