When it comes to making enhancements to your lawn, it’s important to consider both function and beauty. You may prefer rocks or mulch aesthetically, but one may serve the needs of your lawn better than the other. Rock and organic mulch both have their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to lawn maintenance. Here’s a breakdown of each material so you can assess which is best for your landscape design.

Landscaping rock

Whether you’re interested in larger rocks or stone gravel, incorporating rocks into your landscape design has obvious aesthetic benefits, but it can be beautiful and functional at the same time. Rocks provide better weed prevention than traditional mulch. They are a great choice for Florida lawns because rocks can reduce the amount of water that evaporates from the soil, which allows more water to be available to your plants’ roots. Using rocks also calls for less regular yard maintenance because they need to be replaced less often and can be left alone throughout the year.

Rocks may not be right for your lawn if you’re working on a budget. While rocks don’t need to be replaced and keep their quality for a long period of time, they’re a more expensive initial investment. Rocks are also not a good choice for garden cover because they retain more of the Florida heat than mulch.

Rock and stone can be beautiful, low-maintenance options if you’re willing to make an investment in your yard design.

Traditional Mulch

Traditional mulch is a staple of high-quality landscaping. Organic or bark mulch is light, cheap and easy to work with. Mulch is such a common feature in Florida lawns because of its many functional benefits. It regulates soil temperature throughout the year, which is essential in Florida’s hot summers and cool, dry winters. Bark mulch also controls the growth of weeds, while preventing the spreading of their seeds, making it a long-term solution to weeds. And from a convenience standpoint, mulch can be installed without lawn edging or a landscape fabric barrier.

Mulch needs to be replaced at least once a year and it can lose color over time in the Florida sun. And when storms roll in, it’s at risk of being washed away more easily than stones or rocks. An unexpected risk associated with mulch is attracting unwanted insects that lay eggs in large piles of sitting mulch.

Mulch is a great way to help your lawn or garden stay green and healthy at a low cost.

If you’re still unsure if rocks or mulch are a better choice for you, a professional landscaping company could provide you with sound advice and help with the installation and landscape maintenance of your new feature. If you’re looking for a yard maintenance partner you can trust, give RLC Landscaping a call today at 407-366-5629 or click here to request a quote.