I'm planning to landscape around my raised garden beds and I'm wondering whether pea gravel or mulch would provide better benefits. I'm particularly interested in which option is safer for my little ones to walk on barefoot. I'd love to hear your experiences and any other suggestions you might have for creating a cozy gardening nook!
3 Answers
Go with mulch for sure. Once you get pea gravel in your yard, it's everywhere and near impossible to clean up! I had a similar experience, and believe me, it can quickly become a nuisance. Plus, while mulch does require a bit of upkeep, it's definitely better for bare feet and plant health overall.
I really advise against using pea gravel. The previous owners of my house covered the yard in it, and it's just a mess! It sinks into the ground and creates an eyesore, plus it doesn't do much to prevent weeds. Mulch is a far better choice. Sure, you have to top it up yearly, but it's so much nicer and easier to work with than getting rid of nasty old pea stones!
Anything but pea gravel, honestly. It looks nice initially, but it becomes really hard to manage over time. You’ll always have little stones everywhere, plus it’s not comfy to walk on. Mulch is way better and lighter, so it's easier to handle when laying it down. It also costs a lot less!
Totally! I recently used some cheap mulch, and not only did it save me money, but it's also great for enriching the soil once it breaks down. It's a win-win!
Absolutely! I had mulch last year, and while it does a good job at composting and benefiting the soil, it can lead to some weed growth. Just part of the gardening cycle, I guess!