Adding a ground covering to your soil is a no-brainer. Not only does it help with the aesthetic of your landscape, but it also provides priceless benefits. The hard part for many property owners is choosing what type of ground covering to install! Most professional companies offer two different types: mulch and rock. They each provide similar benefits, however, they do differ slightly, and these differences could be the reason that you choose one over the other.

The biggest difference between the two isn't a compromise in quality. It's that rocks, unlike mulch, do not decompose in your soil. Another difference between the two is that mulch comes in fewer colors than rock, but both are still great for any landscape. This blog will explore some of the benefits of both mulch and rock.

What are the benefits of using mulch as a ground covering?

Colorful flowers blooming in a mulch bed near Watchung, New Jersey.

A huge benefit of mulch is that you will be able to cut out a lot of the issues you may be experiencing in growing healthier vegetation. With proper mulch installation, your landscape beds will greatly improve. The main reason for this is that mulch targets the health of your soil. Its main purpose is to keep nutrients in the soil while keeping harmful agents out. Here are some other benefits of using mulch as a ground covering:

  1. Mulch helps with weed prevention. Weeds are a nuisance to any landscape. They will steal the life from your plants by hogging all the nutrition in the soil for themselves. Mulch is preventative, which means it will block out excess sunlight from accessing the soil bed, creating an unsuitable environment for weeds to grow.
  2. Mulch will prevent soil erosion and water evaporation. Bare soil can erode from overwatering caused by rain and irrigation. Mulch acts as protection for the top layer of your soil so that your plants can germinate. With just 2-3 inches of mulch over your landscape beds, water can absorb in the mulch and moisten your soil, keeping it nice and cool without eroding it.
  3. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature. Mulch serves as a blanket for your soil. It will keep harsh sunlight or frigid temperature changes from impacting the roots of your plants.
  4. Mulch nourishes your plants as it breaks down. Even as it breaks down, mulch will provide nutrients to your soil and plants because it is made of organic material.
  5. Mulch comes in a few different colors. You can traditionally find mulch in red, black, or brown, and it can be installed based on the aesthetic of your landscape.

What are the benefits of using rock as a ground covering for your landscape beds?

Light colored rock mulch around a flower bed in Warren, NJ.

The great thing about using rock to canvas your landscape beds is that you won't have to settle for lower quality. Rock is a reliable choice for any garden and will help protect your landscape beds in the same ways that mulch will. The main difference is that rock lasts longer than mulch because it does not decompose. Additionally, rocks usually come in more colors and varieties than mulch. For anyone looking to add colorful variety to their property, rock may be the way to go. The most common choices you'll find are:

  • Gravel
  • Pebble
  • Volcanic rock
  • Stone

The benefits of mulch and rock are well worth the investment and will complement the style of any landscape.

Have you made a decision? Call us to schedule your mulch or rock installation service.

Have you made a decision on which ground covering you would like to have installed? At Stream Line Lawn & Landscape, we've offered expert mulch and rock installation services for years, so we can get the job done right! We serve clients in Westfield, Watchung, Warren, and nearby areas in New Jersey. Call us today at (833) 452-9666 to schedule your service.