The Advantages of Stones Verses Mulch

Permanence

• Stones are beneficial in areas of the landscape that are a permanent installation, and will require no further planting or fertilizing with anything but liquid fertilizer. Once they are set in place, they are difficult to move and their weight causes them to settle in place over time. They do not remove nutrients from the soil, which may be a problem with some plant matter mulches, nor to they break down and add organic matter to the soil. To keep stones from integrating into the soil, lay down a layer of landscape fabric underneath the stone layer.

Heat

• Stones absorb heat, and light colored stones reflect heat and light back up into the surrounding vegetation. This causes the soil underneath the stones to heat up earlier and stay warm longer, which is beneficial for plants that thrive in warmer conditions. Because of this, it is important to know the requirements of the plants you plan to surround with stones, and whether they can tolerate the increased heat and light.

Investment

• Since stones are a permanent installation, they require only the initial cost and labor outlay. Organic mulch requires replacement on a regular basis, resulting in a higher cost in terms of both work and money over time. Stones are also less likely to wash away when it rains, requiring less replacement cost.

Chemical Interactions

• Stones provide a relatively inert alternative to plant matter mulches. They do not cause problems with pets or plants because of chemicals contained in them or produced when they break down, and do not provide an attractive environment for molds or insects. The only chemical change stones may cause is a slight increase in alkalinity in the surrounding soil over time, making them less useful around plants that require acidic soils, such as azaleas, rhododendrons or blueberries.