The Pros And Cons Of Stone Ground Covering

"To mulch or not to mulch" is a question that many landscapers and homeowners have totally eliminated from their vocabulary. How? By going another route, the natural stone route.

The pros and cons of using stone, crushed stone, otherwise known as gravel, or natural woody mulch vary greatly. Today, however, a growing number of landscapers and homeowners are opting for stone landscapes depending on the property and individual preferences.

Hint: Before making a choice as to which way to go, we highly recommend that you first research what your options are and consult one of our Melvin Mulch experts.

That being said, let 's look first at the pros of having a stone-based ground covering as opposed to natural, woody mulch.

Less Maintenance: Depending on the geographic region in which the homeowner

This can be especially important if living in a humid climate with a lot of rainfall and where accumulated water tends to gather, either by nature or by human intervention after using a garden hose.

The Downside To Stone Ground Covering

As everything in life, there is another side to the proverbial coin. As such, the three largest downsides to having a crushed stone, gravel or stone ground coverings are: cost, lack of compost material and a reduced retention of moisture.

Cost: Ranging from 50 percent to 75 percent more than average bags of mulch, the increased weight and logistics to moving bags or barrels of stone can add to the cost of installation and the labor involved. That being said, the costs are up-front and won 't be repeated until years after the initial installation--if at all.

Not As Eco-Friendly: For those concerned about the environment and "saving the planet," mulch is a better option. With the gradual decomposition of mulch throughout the year, valuable nutrients are lost to both plants and their creepy-crawly