How to Choose Between Rock and Wood Mulch

Using mulch in a landscape can help conserve water and promote healthy growth in plants. Several kinds of mulch are available, and wood and rock are two of the more common options. Both kinds can be effective covering for soil in a yard or garden, but one is often a better choice than the other for specific aspects of a landscape.

Mulch has many benefits for a yard and garden. It helps the soil retain moisture, which means you don’t have to water plants as frequently as you would otherwise. It also promotes microorganism activity, which leaves soil less compacted so nutrients are better able to reach plant roots. The right mulch also can regulate soil temperature and fight weed growth that can rob desirable plants of moisture. Mulch can limit soil erosion, too. It gives a landscape a finished, polished appearance as well.

Your landscaping needs can help you choose between rock and wood mulch. If you want to improve soil conditions, wood mulch is the best option because it provides a rich environment for microorganisms and earthworms. It also provides an effective protection from lawn mowers for trees and shrubs. On the other hand, rock mulch is a better option if your garden has trouble with diseases because rock mulch doesn’t harbor bacteria or fungi. Rock mulch usually works best in non-plant areas, however, because it retains heat so may cause water evaporation in plants. It also makes areas adjacent to it significantly warm in afternoons and evenings. So although a patio made of or surrounded by rock mulch may feel uncomfortably warm on summer evenings, the rock mulch can keep the patio comfortably warm during early spring and late fall nights.