Rocks VS. Mulch - Which is better in flower beds and around trees?
PROS
- Better Growth: Mulch can nearly double how fast trees and plants grow
- Less Water: Mulch reduces water evaporation, so you spend less time and money watering
- More Nutrients: As mulch breaks down, it adds nutrients that plants need to thrive.
- Fewer Weeds: Mulch stops weed seeds from sprouting, so you may see 50% fewer weeds
- Just The Right Temperature: Mulch keeps plants warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- Reduce Compaction and erosion: Mulch reduces soil erosion by up to 85%. Plus, people are less likely to walk on mulch, so there's less soil compaction
CONS
- Annual Replacement: Depending on your mulch type, you'll have to replace it every 1-4 years. So, its a recurring cost and time expense.
- Too Much of a Good Thing: Adding a layer of mulch more than 2-3 inches stresses out plants.
- Too Early = Late Blooms: Mulching too early may slow how quickly the ground warms, which means you could see blooms a bit later than normal.
- Too Late = Weeds: Mulch stops weeds from germinating. If you mulch too late, it may not stop them as much.