Gravel Can Be Mulch?

Gravel can be mulch? Yes, that’s right! Have you ever been frustrated at the massive mess that traditional mulch can bring? Spreading it all out can be such a hassle. Even after all that work is done, it can still be an encouraging spot for weeds to poke through. Say goodbye to all these pesky gardening problems (and more) by substituting traditional mulch with a thin layer of gravel. Keep reading to find out why you should take a second look into gravel as a ground layer.

Pros of Gravel

Otherwise known as “inorganic” mulch, gravel provides quite a few benefits that “organic” mulch (manure, wood shavings, leaves) cannot. First, gardeners tend to favor pea gravel as a mulching gravel. This is because the tiny pebbles are naturally round, which means the soil won’t be penetrated and roots won’t be damaged. They are also of brown and red natural stone colors that blend in well with surrounding landscape and don’t reflect or absorb too much light.

In general, pros of gravel are:

• Protection against erosion
• Lasts several years instead of just one season
• Filters water so that soil isn’t pelted by rain
• Good for areas that tend to have standing water when it rains
• Better for plants that like it dry
• Is less prone to mold

If any of these things suit your gardening needs, you should look into finding gravel to cover your natural stone garden this Spring.

 

Cons of Gravel as Mulch

Using gravel as mulch also has some drawbacks. For example, gravel is going to typically be more expensive. The stone has been harvested and transported, which has to be incorporated into the cost. Due to weight, gravel is a little more difficult to install. The installation of gravel can also be more intense. Gravel requires edging of some kind (wooden planks, natural stone, etc.) to hold it in place. Once gravel is installed it can be somewhat difficult to maintain because it’s hard to get leaves and weeds out of.

While there are few drawbacks to using gravel as mulch there are just as many to using organic mulch. Check out this article of pros and cons to help you make the best decision.

 

How do you know?

It’s good to know the pros and cons, but how do you make the final decision?

Think about your garden beds, the ones you intend to use in the upcoming months. Are they raised beds? Are they edged? Are they in a place that gets a lot of rain? Does water tend to stand in the soil? What kind of plants do you have — any that like dry conditions such as cactus?

The tips in this post will also help you make the right decision for your garden. It’s always good to be educated about all possibilities before starting a garden because once it’s going, it’s hard to change.

 

Do you use gravel to cover your garden beds?

Curious to know how gravel can work in your garden? On top of everything else it does for your plants, gravel creates a very even and clean look. If you have plants that like it dry, need something to keep the soil from eroding, and want to avoid mold, gravel  might be your best option.

What kind of gravel will cover your plants this spring? Do you have a garden bed already covered in gravel that’s just waiting for warm weather and a little rain? Tell us what you use in the comments below!