Are Stones or Mulch Better to Keep Away Weeds in a Flower Bed?

Benefits of Stone Mulch

• Small stones or crushed rock are good choices if you're looking for mulch that won't wash away or won't decompose over time. It stays where you put it and lasts for many years, and it requires a single financial investment over mulches that must be replaced or added to once they've exhausted their usefulness, which can actually be several times during a single growing season. No chemicals or preservatives are added to stone mulch, and colored varieties are available to choose from that add interest to flower beds and to garden pathways. Stone mulches, unlike organic mulches, do not absorb nitrogen from the ground, nor do they contain weed seeds.

Disadvantages of Stone Mulch

• While stones are more suitable as a permanent mulch, they present problems if and when it becomes necessary to dig up your flower bed for any reason. It will make separating certain perennials difficult, as the stones will mix in with the soil and will be heavier to move and impossible to completely separate from the soil. This is the reason many gardeners use landscaping fabric beneath stone mulch. Light-colored stones can scorch plants by reflecting sunlight onto their foliage, and they contribute no organic matter to the soil. Stones used as mulch can also get sucked into lawnmowers, causing injury or damage; and stone mulches containing lime cannot be used around acid-loving plants such as mountain laurels or rhododendrons.

Organic Mulch Advantages

• Organic mulches are made from plant material that decomposes over time and eventually become part of the soil. The decomposed mulch helps with water retention and supplies important nutrients to the soil. Organic mulches are varied and make good use of excess plant materials. Bark mulch is made from pine or hardwood logs, and is usually shredded or in chunk form. It resists compaction, does not blow away and decomposes slowly. Wood chips are produced from many types of trees and turns silver-gray over time. Other organic mulch materials include sawdust, straw, pine needles (also called pine straw) and shredded leaves.

Organic Mulch Disadvantages

• Bark and wood chips may wash away, and wood chips often contain the seeds of whatever tree they were obtained from. Wood chips produce acids during decomposition that can harm or kill plants, so it's best to buy them from a dealer who oversees the aging process and can guarantee that the chips are ready to use. Sawdust hardens, making it hard for water to get through to the plants; and it does not prevent weed seeds from sprouting through it. Sawdust also takes nitrogen out of the soil and is not attractive. Both stone and organic mulches appear to be equally effective in keeping weeds out of flower beds. Stones possess certain aesthetic qualities, while organic mulches are gentle to the environment. Deciding which type to use is purely a matter of personal preference.

Conclusion