I'm wrapping up my landscaping project for my new construction house, and I'm stuck on the final choice between mulch and rock. I always preferred rock based on my past experiences, so I was surprised to see that this community seems to overwhelmingly favor mulch whenever I did a search on Reddit. My personal history with rock is pretty positive; my dad put down terra rock in our front yard 25 years ago, and it's still in perfect shape without any weed issues. Similarly, my friend has had the same 1-inch mojave red stone since 2015, which looks fantastic with minimal upkeep. While I do appreciate the aesthetics and soil benefits of mulch, maintaining it with weeding and frequent re-mulching feels like a hassle and more costly. So, I'm curious: why is there such a strong pro-mulch vibe in this community?
6 Answers
If you’re not in a desert area, there’s likely some trick your friend is using to keep the weeds at bay. Just putting down rock doesn’t usually do the trick alone—he might be using something like Preen, which some people think is a bit controversial for yard use.
Rocks can be really difficult to manage. They tend to spread out and get mixed in with everything. I think they work well when used as accents or pathways, but for plant areas, mulch is my go-to because it's easier to care for.
A lot of folks think rock will prevent weeds, but over time, organic matter gets into the cracks, and you end up with weeds that are tough to pull up because of the rocks. It’s a common misconception.
It honestly depends on where you live and what your yard looks like. In my sunny front yard, I use rocks, but in my shady backyard with flooding issues, I stick with wood mulch. It’s all about what works best for your specific conditions rather than making broad generalizations.
Mulch is better for the ecosystem. It encourages life in the soil, whereas rock doesn’t really do much in that department. Plus, there's more aesthetic value in mulch as it looks plush and vibrant underneath plants.
Totally agree! It makes such a difference in the overall health of the garden.
Mulch not only looks attractive but also enriches the soil with nutrients as it breaks down, retains moisture, and regulates temperature. Rock doesn't really do these things, and it can be a hassle to remove if you ever change your mind about it. Though in hot regions, rock can fit in nicely.
That makes total sense! It really should be personalized based on what each area needs.