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Posted: 4/12/2016 4:13:53 PM EDT
[#1]
Pea gravel sucks. Weeds wrap themselves around the stones and you wind up having to throw out a lot of stones with the weeds. The pea gravel also makes it extremely hard to plant/dig again in the future. I will never use pea gravel again personally.
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Posted: 4/12/2016 4:14:46 PM EDT
[#2]
If not pea gravel, say 3/4" clear? I have a gravel pit nearby
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Posted: 4/12/2016 8:03:05 PM EDT
[#3]
Gravel will work okay as a mulch.
However, it has significant drawbacks. 1-It doesn't biodegrade and so adds nothing to the soil structure (though you may not care if it's just around trees) 2-It's a pita when you need to dig 3-If it's limestone, you're raising your ph every time it rains. 4- You have to hold it in with something--usually that plastic edging is what people choose. If you do that, don't leave that stuff sticking way up. It's ugly and you'll catch it with your lawnmower. 5-It holds a lot of heat, and so works in ways you might not expect as far as heating the soil....this can have drawbacks if it heats the soil around your tree too early in the year. It's not a HUGE issue, but you have to be aware of it. It doesn't "moderate" in the same way that biodegradable mulches do. (Am I making any sense?) 6-You will probably wish you hadn't done it. 
ETA: If you have access to free gravel, there are all kinds of awesome things to do with it. I love gravel paths. Just dig a couple of inches down, remove the sod, line the edges with rocks or bricks, and use gravel. I will say that gravel, done right, can be a beautiful landscape element. So maybe I'm not giving it a fair shake for this. The Japanese use gravel really, really well in their gardens. But that is for a "look" and is not specifically just for mulch. As you probably grasp, I don't love it as a mulch, but it can work okay.
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Posted: 4/12/2016 8:31:20 PM EDT
[#4]
I had a gravel driveway for 18 years... Last year it was replaced with a Concrete one... Upkeep on the gravel sucked big time.. Weeds loved it.. The weed Killer companies loved it too
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Posted: 4/12/2016 8:47:52 PM EDT
[#5]
I think mulch is a terrible term for any sort of stone. Aside from a weed deterrent, most people use mulches that retain moisture. Pea gravel almost always does the opposite. Once the sun hits it, it will heat and all the moisture will evaporate. Will it kill what you planted? Probably not. However, it sure doesn't benefit your plant much.
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Posted: 4/12/2016 9:03:15 PM EDT
[#6]
I find the best mulch for around a tree is to let the grass /weeds grow and then spray round up. Just do not cut or remove deep grass.
Only repeat when again it is all green and tall. Some trees I do a leaves mulch ring with brick border and some I do the round up method. My oak trees are "mulched" with cast iron plants. Never use a weed eater around a tree. |
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Posted: 4/12/2016 9:35:07 PM EDT
[#7]
I remove the sod around the tree in whatever shape I want the landscaped area to be. Sometimes just a circle. Then I let the existing sod hold the mulch so that the whole thing is "flat"--not heaped up, which makes a nice place for rodents to nest--but level with the surrounding sod. it's a nice look, and I make the circle big enough that I can run my mower deck around it without having to back up.
This lets me avoid the chemical s when I can, and I just have to edge each tree once a year in the spring to keep the surrounding sod from encroaching. It's more work, though.
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Posted: 4/12/2016 9:54:56 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
6-You will probably wish you hadn't done it. ^^^ this. it seems like a good idea... ...until the stone is all mixed in with the topsoil, and you don't want it any more. then, it's a giant pain in the ass. there is no way to separate out the topsoil and stone, and you end up digging it out and throwing it all (many tons of it) into a ditch. just ask my neighbor. besides, it is not an organic landscaping feature. where do you see in nature a tree surrounded by a circle of cosmetic stone? you don't. it doesn't happen that way. summary: it looks like hell and is a pain in the ass to recover from -- sort of like a Judas Priest tattoo. ar-jedi 
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Posted: 4/12/2016 9:57:01 PM EDT
[#9]
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If not pea gravel, say 3/4" clear? I have a gravel pit nearby no, that will look worse. just because it's convenient doesn't mean it's a good idea. same for drunk barflies. ar-jedi |
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Posted: 4/12/2016 10:56:34 PM EDT
[#10]
Well, back to wood chips then
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Posted: 4/12/2016 11:18:06 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Well, back to wood chips then you have options. -- do nothing -- cedar chips (last a long time, and are insect resistant) -- triple shred hardwood mulch (don't "volcano" it up the tree trunk or i will come to your house and kick you in the nuts) -- ^^^ as above, but dyed (brown, black, red, etc) (it looks nicer, longer, if you are going for a manicured look) note: avoid "pallet mulch" -- which is made from ground up wood pallets. ETA here is an article i found for you describing various mulch products https://sweeneyslandscapingblog.com/tag/triple-shredded-mulch/ ar-jedi |
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Posted: 4/12/2016 11:48:14 PM EDT
[#12]
Stick with wood mulch for trees. You can probably get a pickup bed full for $20-$30 bucks at your local land reclamation facility. You might even be able to get it for free if you call around to some tree trimming companies.
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Posted: 4/13/2016 12:06:12 AM EDT
[#13]
I have creek rock in a few spots of my yard and plan on replacing all the mulched areas with the same rock this year.
Benefits are it's cheap (like $25 a scoop), it looks better with time, and it is easy to blow out leaves with a blower. It also is easy to work with. It's heavy enough round stones that they don't get everywhere. I love the stuff and a lot of commercial businesses are going to it over mulch. Termites are also a threat around here and rocks aren't on their dinner plans. |
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Posted: 4/13/2016 6:16:16 PM EDT
[#14]
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-- triple shred hardwood mulch (don't "volcano" it up the tree trunk or i will come to your house and kick you in the nuts) ar-jedi  I will do the same thing if you use rubber mulch.
Okay, no I won't, cuz you've been so nice to me helping me with trailers and welding. But I'll think about it. 
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Posted: 4/14/2016 1:32:07 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
you have options. -- do nothing -- cedar chips (last a long time, and are insect resistant) -- triple shred hardwood mulch (don't "volcano" it up the tree trunk or i will come to your house and kick you in the nuts) -- ^^^ as above, but dyed (brown, black, red, etc) (it looks nicer, longer, if you are going for a manicured look) note: avoid "pallet mulch" -- which is made from ground up wood pallets. ETA here is an article i found for you describing various mulch products https://sweeneyslandscapingblog.com/tag/triple-shredded-mulch/ ar-jedi Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Well, back to wood chips then you have options. -- do nothing -- cedar chips (last a long time, and are insect resistant) -- triple shred hardwood mulch (don't "volcano" it up the tree trunk or i will come to your house and kick you in the nuts) -- ^^^ as above, but dyed (brown, black, red, etc) (it looks nicer, longer, if you are going for a manicured look) note: avoid "pallet mulch" -- which is made from ground up wood pallets. ETA here is an article i found for you describing various mulch products https://sweeneyslandscapingblog.com/tag/triple-shredded-mulch/ ar-jedi Op as a pro landscaper with a hort degree, ^^^^ this is basically the answer I would give you. |
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Posted: 4/14/2016 3:08:33 PM EDT
[#16]
Is there any type of tree that I should really try to avoid? I plan on chipping tree debris from my property.
I primarily have: cedar (I clean them up into a separate pile, not too much) pine (haven't confirmed the variety) Siberian elm American elm box elder sugar maple oak, few varieties (mainly red) basswood others in there as well, but most of the tree debris is of the above. I've always bought cedar chips before, but I mulched sparingly. Planning on REALLY stepping up mulching this year. |
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Posted: 4/14/2016 3:51:40 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Is there any type of tree that I should really try to avoid? I plan on chipping tree debris from my property. I primarily have: cedar (I clean them up into a separate pile, not too much) pine (haven't confirmed the variety) Siberian elm American elm box elder sugar maple oak, few varieties (mainly red) basswood others in there as well, but most of the tree debris is of the above. I've always bought cedar chips before, but I mulched sparingly. Planning on REALLY stepping up mulching this year. I would go with the cedar or the hardwoods, oak etc. I also would avoid using the chips as mulch in a " green"state, composting the chips for a while would probably be a good idea. |
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Posted: 4/14/2016 5:10:44 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Is there any type of tree that I should really try to avoid? I plan on chipping tree debris from my property. I primarily have: cedar (I clean them up into a separate pile, not too much) pine (haven't confirmed the variety) Siberian elm American elm box elder sugar maple oak, few varieties (mainly red) basswood others in there as well, but most of the tree debris is of the above. I've always bought cedar chips before, but I mulched sparingly. Planning on REALLY stepping up mulching this year. If you have any walnut trees --Black walnut, butternut, etc--don't use that wood on anything. Don't compost it. Don't put it around any plants that you don't want to kill. There are a few plants that can withstand growing underneath Juglans sp., but I would still not mulch with it. ETA: I use pine or one of the cypress blends from the big box stores because it's cheap, and I've never had any trouble with that. I also use those same blends from the local mulch companies where I still have accounts. (Agreeing to buy a certain amount per year usually gets you a slightly better price, even at their retail price structure. I no longer buy as a business.) I also use the bigger chips around trees, shrubs and/or any woody plants. I do NOT use the big chips around herbaceous perennials or annuals. (That's the "flowers" that you buy mostly and the bulbs, etc.) If you're talking about a veggie garden, leaf mold or other well- composted material is my favorite thing to add, and I use it as a mulch, though it is not usually pretty. If you're after looks, you choose a little differently. 
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Posted: 4/14/2016 6:31:56 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If you have any walnut trees --Black walnut, butternut, etc--don't use that wood on anything. Don't compost it. Don't put it around any plants that you don't want to kill. There are a few plants that can withstand growing underneath Juglans sp., but I would still not mulch with it. ETA: I use pine or one of the cypress blends from the big box stores because it's cheap, and I've never had any trouble with that. I also use those same blends from the local mulch companies where I still have accounts. (Agreeing to buy a certain amount per year usually gets you a slightly better price, even at their retail price structure. I no longer buy as a business.) I also use the bigger chips around trees, shrubs and/or any woody plants. I do NOT use the big chips around herbaceous perennials or annuals. (That's the "flowers" that you buy mostly and the bulbs, etc.) If you're talking about a veggie garden, leaf mold or other well- composted material is my favorite thing to add, and I use it as a mulch, though it is not usually pretty. If you're after looks, you choose a little differently. Ok, no way this is just a hobby for you lol, where did you get your horticulture degree from? IM me if you want to. |
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Posted: 4/14/2016 6:34:37 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Ok, no way this is just a hobby for you lol, where did you get your horticulture degree from? IM me if you want to. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
If you have any walnut trees --Black walnut, butternut, etc--don't use that wood on anything. Don't compost it. Don't put it around any plants that you don't want to kill. There are a few plants that can withstand growing underneath Juglans sp., but I would still not mulch with it. ETA: I use pine or one of the cypress blends from the big box stores because it's cheap, and I've never had any trouble with that. I also use those same blends from the local mulch companies where I still have accounts. (Agreeing to buy a certain amount per year usually gets you a slightly better price, even at their retail price structure. I no longer buy as a business.) I also use the bigger chips around trees, shrubs and/or any woody plants. I do NOT use the big chips around herbaceous perennials or annuals. (That's the "flowers" that you buy mostly and the bulbs, etc.) If you're talking about a veggie garden, leaf mold or other well- composted material is my favorite thing to add, and I use it as a mulch, though it is not usually pretty. If you're after looks, you choose a little differently. Ok, no way this is just a hobby for you lol, where did you get your horticulture degree from? IM me if you want to. Nope, not just a hobby.
Western Kentucky University. Long time ago. MS. |
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Posted: 4/14/2016 6:46:02 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Western Kentucky University. Long time ago. MS. Well you know your stuff, you could/should be teaching somewhere. Come to think of it you are. |
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Posted: 4/14/2016 6:49:24 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Well you know your stuff, you could/should be teaching somewhere. Come to think of it you are. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Western Kentucky University. Long time ago. MS. Well you know your stuff, you could/should be teaching somewhere. Come to think of it you are. That's nice of you to say. I did teach a little before I left school. Really enjoyed that. However, I've forgotten far more than I remember now. Basic plant knowledge? Yeah, I've got that. Do I remember all my scientific names? No, I do not. 
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Posted: 4/14/2016 7:29:37 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That's nice of you to say. I did teach a little before I left school. Really enjoyed that. However, I've forgotten far more than I remember now. Basic plant knowledge? Yeah, I've got that. Do I remember all my scientific names? No, I do not.
Haha, I've been doing the hort/ landscape thing my entire adult life and I'm still terrible and scientific names and plant keying that's what Michael Dirr's book is for! I figure teaching is somewhere in my future, it's the commercial landscapers retirement plan. |
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Posted: 4/14/2016 7:42:51 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Haha, I've been doing the hort/ landscape thing my entire adult life and I'm still terrible and scientific names and plant keying that's what Michael Dirr's book is for! I figure teaching is somewhere in my future, it's the commercial landscapers retirement plan. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
That's nice of you to say. I did teach a little before I left school. Really enjoyed that. However, I've forgotten far more than I remember now. Basic plant knowledge? Yeah, I've got that. Do I remember all my scientific names? No, I do not.
Haha, I've been doing the hort/ landscape thing my entire adult life and I'm still terrible and scientific names and plant keying that's what Michael Dirr's book is for! I figure teaching is somewhere in my future, it's the commercial landscapers retirement plan. My Mike Dirr is ancient and falling apart. I can't rationalize spending money for new editions just for new cultivars, but there's a LOT I don't know about the newer varieties that have come out since I was working. |
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Posted: 4/14/2016 8:09:01 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My Mike Dirr is ancient and falling apart. I can't rationalize spending money for new editions just for new cultivars, but there's a LOT I don't know about the newer varieties that have come out since I was working. I've been tempted by the new/newish app for the ipad he has out, but even it's like $15.00 and the books on amazon are 50.00 plus. I don't remember them being that pricey 10 years ago. |
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Posted: 4/17/2016 3:40:57 AM EDT
[#26]
Hot Rocks Are Bad.
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Posted: 4/17/2016 2:40:51 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Hot Rocks Are Bad. Short and to the point. And pretty much true. 
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Posted: 4/17/2016 8:48:07 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Well you know your stuff, you could/should be teaching somewhere. Come to think of it you are. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Western Kentucky University. Long time ago. MS. Well you know your stuff, you could/should be teaching somewhere. Come to think of it you are. the problem is that she hits the bottle and things go to hell... 
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_19/658685__ARCHIVED_THREAD____Imminent_sub_compact_tractor_purchase___Opinions_wanted_needed__.html&page=2#i11271086 ar-jedi |
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Posted: 4/17/2016 8:55:20 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
the problem is that she hits the bottle and things go to hell...
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_19/658685__ARCHIVED_THREAD____Imminent_sub_compact_tractor_purchase___Opinions_wanted_needed__.html&page=2#i11271086 ar-jedi Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Western Kentucky University. Long time ago. MS. Well you know your stuff, you could/should be teaching somewhere. Come to think of it you are. the problem is that she hits the bottle and things go to hell...
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_19/658685__ARCHIVED_THREAD____Imminent_sub_compact_tractor_purchase___Opinions_wanted_needed__.html&page=2#i11271086 ar-jedi
Yep. Me and chardonnay sometimes create new crosses.
Ain't the first time it's happened. Likely won't be the last.
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Posted: 4/18/2016 12:46:55 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yep. Me and chardonnay sometimes create new crosses.
Ain't the first time it's happened. Likely won't be the last.
Hold on....you're a woman??? |
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Posted: 4/18/2016 1:01:59 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Hold on....you're a woman??? Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Yep. Me and chardonnay sometimes create new crosses.
Ain't the first time it's happened. Likely won't be the last.
Hold on....you're a woman??? whoooooooooooooosh. ar-jedi |
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Posted: 4/18/2016 3:45:44 AM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Hold on....you're a woman??? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Yep. Me and chardonnay sometimes create new crosses.
Ain't the first time it's happened. Likely won't be the last.
Hold on....you're a woman??? 
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Posted: 4/18/2016 5:19:37 AM EDT
[#33]
Tried gravel to mulch around an area where we had a pool pump. Mower went full auto trimming around the edges.
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Posted: 4/18/2016 11:49:56 AM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Hold on....you're a woman???
Not possible!! There are no women on the Internet! I need proof.
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Posted: 4/18/2016 1:11:22 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Not possible!! There are no women on the Internet! I need proof. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Hold on....you're a woman???
Not possible!! There are no women on the Internet! I need proof. IM uxb and ask him. He has seen the evidence.
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Posted: 4/18/2016 2:41:12 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
IM uxb and ask him. He has seen the evidence.
Seems like that might be a strange conversation.......I think I'm just gonna take your word for it. 
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Posted: 4/19/2016 9:01:09 PM EDT
[#37]
Rat Patrol, we totally jacked your thread.
 
Sorry about that. Please don't give up on it if you had more to discuss. |
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Posted: 4/19/2016 10:18:27 PM EDT
[#38]
as usual, women are always screwing everything up. ar-jedi
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Posted: 4/20/2016 3:38:37 AM EDT
[#39]
If I wanted to put mulch in the walkways of my raised bed garden, should I use shredded or nugget?
Both feel like hell on my bare feet, so I'm talking strictly from a gardening perspective. |
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Posted: 4/20/2016 10:50:00 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Rat Patrol, we totally jacked your thread. Sorry about that. Please don't give up on it if you had more to discuss. .Rocks=bad idea. The biggest killer for me was the heat. Never thought about that. |
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Posted: 4/20/2016 10:57:09 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If I wanted to put mulch in the walkways of my raised bed garden, should I use shredded or nugget? Both feel like hell on my bare feet, so I'm talking strictly from a gardening perspective. I use shredded, partly for the reason you mention---once shredded softens down some, it doesn't bother me. But you could use nuggets. I use the walkways to grow flowers and herbs at the corner of beds to make the raised bed garden more attractive and cottage-gardenesque. So the shredded works better for me, in between stepping stones I made out of concrete. (I just dug an odd shaped hole and filled it with a thin layer of bag concrete, put plastic over it for a night, and poof...stepping stones.) If your walkways are ALWAYS going to be walkways, you can put anything you want on them. One consideration is the size of the material pieces and the question....are the pieces large enough for slugs to get under easily and hide? Beyond that, I don't see a reason to have preference over one or the other except appearance and other "personal" reasons like yours...hurting your feet when you walk. Maybe somebody else will chime in here. |
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Posted: 4/20/2016 11:01:55 AM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nope, I was done .
Rocks=bad idea. The biggest killer for me was the heat. Never thought about that. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Rat Patrol, we totally jacked your thread.
Sorry about that. Please don't give up on it if you had more to discuss. .
Rocks=bad idea. The biggest killer for me was the heat. Never thought about that. I actually was in a drive through yesterday and saw a rock mulch that was extremely attractive. I thought of you and was trying to take a photo, but had to pull forward. This place had rock mulch surrounding the drive-through areas (wood mulch everywhere else) I think so that if people throw out cigarettes there is less chance of fire. That's just a guess, but from the placement I drew that conclusion. This mulch was LARGER rocks of all shapes, sizes and forms (meaning some aggregate, some not) All in the same color tones (grays and gray blacks) which made it workj. they had decent-size arborvitae growing in it. But the arborvitae sheddings were all down in the rocks underneath the shrubs, and I was thinking, "that'll be hell to clean out." But it was the nicest stone mulch job I've ever seen. Doesn't change my opinion of using rocks for mulch in most instances, but I'm just saying it CAN be done and look nice. But with one variety of quarry stone, it won't have that effect. |
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Posted: 4/21/2016 12:32:32 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I actually was in a drive through yesterday and saw a rock mulch that was extremely attractive. I thought of you and was trying to take a photo, but had to pull forward. This place had rock mulch surrounding the drive-through areas (wood mulch everywhere else) I think so that if people throw out cigarettes there is less chance of fire. That's just a guess, but from the placement I drew that conclusion. This mulch was LARGER rocks of all shapes, sizes and forms (meaning some aggregate, some not) All in the same color tones (grays and gray blacks) which made it workj. they had decent-size arborvitae growing in it. But the arborvitae sheddings were all down in the rocks underneath the shrubs, and I was thinking, "that'll be hell to clean out." But it was the nicest stone mulch job I've ever seen. Doesn't change my opinion of using rocks for mulch in most instances, but I'm just saying it CAN be done and look nice. But with one variety of quarry stone, it won't have that effect. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Rat Patrol, we totally jacked your thread.
Sorry about that. Please don't give up on it if you had more to discuss. .
Rocks=bad idea. The biggest killer for me was the heat. Never thought about that. I actually was in a drive through yesterday and saw a rock mulch that was extremely attractive. I thought of you and was trying to take a photo, but had to pull forward. This place had rock mulch surrounding the drive-through areas (wood mulch everywhere else) I think so that if people throw out cigarettes there is less chance of fire. That's just a guess, but from the placement I drew that conclusion. This mulch was LARGER rocks of all shapes, sizes and forms (meaning some aggregate, some not) All in the same color tones (grays and gray blacks) which made it workj. they had decent-size arborvitae growing in it. But the arborvitae sheddings were all down in the rocks underneath the shrubs, and I was thinking, "that'll be hell to clean out." But it was the nicest stone mulch job I've ever seen. Doesn't change my opinion of using rocks for mulch in most instances, but I'm just saying it CAN be done and look nice. But with one variety of quarry stone, it won't have that effect. I've done this type of "rock work/mulch" on a few jobs mainly in commercial setting, I hesitate to call it mulch, hardscape ground cover is probably the most accurate description. Sometimes it's necessary in areas that need a low maintenance ground cover and in areas that don't have a high concentration of plant materials. It can also break up the monotony of a large mulched area and add texture. An added benefit is it generally saves money in the long term, as less hammered mulch will be needed to freshen up the area in the future. |
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Posted: 4/21/2016 4:02:05 AM EDT
[#44]
in the book Holistic orchard he suggests putting pea gravel around the base of the tree and then putting your mulch further out, now this guy is in Northern NH so he probably wants the heat.
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Posted: 4/21/2016 8:12:59 AM EDT
[#45]
I'll get in one last dig at the rocks
I used 3/4" around a house many years ago. I had a lot of oaks, and it was impossible to get all the leaves out of the rocks in the fall. I tried a blower too. So after a few years the leaves break down, the weeds and grass move in, and you have a mess that weighs several tons.
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Posted: 4/21/2016 1:34:30 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've done this type of "rock work/mulch" on a few jobs mainly in commercial setting, I hesitate to call it mulch, hardscape ground cover is probably the most accurate description. Sometimes it's necessary in areas that need a low maintenance ground cover and in areas that don't have a high concentration of plant materials. It can also break up the monotony of a large mulched area and add texture. An added benefit is it generally saves money in the long term, as less hammered mulch will be needed to freshen up the area in the future. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Rat Patrol, we totally jacked your thread.
Sorry about that. Please don't give up on it if you had more to discuss. .
Rocks=bad idea. The biggest killer for me was the heat. Never thought about that. I actually was in a drive through yesterday and saw a rock mulch that was extremely attractive. I thought of you and was trying to take a photo, but had to pull forward. This place had rock mulch surrounding the drive-through areas (wood mulch everywhere else) I think so that if people throw out cigarettes there is less chance of fire. That's just a guess, but from the placement I drew that conclusion. This mulch was LARGER rocks of all shapes, sizes and forms (meaning some aggregate, some not) All in the same color tones (grays and gray blacks) which made it workj. they had decent-size arborvitae growing in it. But the arborvitae sheddings were all down in the rocks underneath the shrubs, and I was thinking, "that'll be hell to clean out." But it was the nicest stone mulch job I've ever seen. Doesn't change my opinion of using rocks for mulch in most instances, but I'm just saying it CAN be done and look nice. But with one variety of quarry stone, it won't have that effect. I've done this type of "rock work/mulch" on a few jobs mainly in commercial setting, I hesitate to call it mulch, hardscape ground cover is probably the most accurate description. Sometimes it's necessary in areas that need a low maintenance ground cover and in areas that don't have a high concentration of plant materials. It can also break up the monotony of a large mulched area and add texture. An added benefit is it generally saves money in the long term, as less hammered mulch will be needed to freshen up the area in the future. I like "hard ground cover" or "Stone gound cover element" much better than "mulch" for this use. That's a great way of thinking of it. It does not serve the same purpose as mulch, to me, and I always hated using the word "mulch" for that. I have also used stone to break up the mulch (often as curved areas built into other curved areas) in designs for big homes, and especially when there was a natural drain that I knew was going to wash. Creating little dry stream beds can be gorgeous. But it's NEVER with just "dump out bags or wheelbarrows of the same size/kind of rock." The real difference for me has always been whether I could look at an installation and go, "wow, that looks like God put it there and the angels have been trimming it up regularly." |
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