Gravel and Stone Garden Mulches

Gravel and stone mulches can be very effective, especially in gardens where organic mulches would be too expensive or impractical. They are generally better at retaining heat in cold climates, along with keeping valuable moisture in the garden soil. The disadvantages of using stone-based mulch is that it is heavy and difficult to remove, can be quite costly, and usually requires professional assistance to install the mulch in your garden. Here are a few tips on working with gravel or stone garden mulch.

Gravel and stone garden mulch: Advantages

Gravel and stone garden mulch is used to help the soil retain moisture and heat. If you live in a cold climate, stone mulch may work better to keep heat locked in because the pieces are larger than a gravel mulch. Gravel garden mulch often is more effective than organic alternatives like plastic or fabric. Because it is still made of natural material, there are no environmental consequences of using a gravel or stone mulch in your backyard garden.

Gravel and stone garden mulch: Disadvantages

One of the drawbacks to using a large amount of gravel or stone mulch is that it is not easily removed. Only use these types of mulches if you intend to leave your garden in place for several growing seasons. This is where planning ahead and carefully designing your garden can be very valuable. Likewise, the style and color of your gravel and stone mulch must be carefully considered. These items will become a fixture in your landscaping setup for many years, if not decades, so choose a look that will stand the test of time.

The expense and effort of installing your gravel and stone garden mulch must also be considered. Unless you have a heavy-duty truck and some strong friends to help out, you will probably have your stone mulch delivered from the landscaping company or home improvement store. This can be quite costly, so be sure you are only ordering the amount you need for your home garden. Again, carefully planning out your garden design ahead of time can make this process much simpler.

Gravel and stone garden mulch: Stylistic considerations

Be sure to match the appearance of your gravel and stone mulch with the overall theme of your garden. The rocks may clash if your garden is predominately lush, green grass. However, a southwestern theme may be a perfect fit for a section of colorful stones or fine gravel. If you must mix styles, a larger garden filled with pure gravel mulch often works better because of the visual separation from the rest of the yard.