Mulch or white rock for my shade garden?

Hi Judith,

I think it depends on your shade garden. If it is damp as well as shady, you'll want to be aware of mold. It's just my personal opinion that I'd rather deal with mold in mulch than mold in rocks. Since there is not sun to encourage weed growth, I might not even put anything there, just the dirt and the plants. Wishing you the best.

The first time I made my shade garden I used rock rather than mulch. I found that I liked mulch better and removed all the rock. I found that the mulch does a better keeping the ground moist after I water for a longer period of time and it was was easier to add new plants.

As mulch breaks down it feeds your plants. if you’re going to use rock you might consider river rock. River rock will look more natural and make plantings your focal point.

Depending on if you have pets or if people are going to be walking on it. Pets bring in dust and dirt from he mulch. Keep i mind that rocks will usualy escape into the grass that has to be mowed and have to be blown clean.

I like cedar mulch because it helps repel some bugs. And I use the black dyed cedar mulch because everything I plant really stands out against it.

just an FYI... organic mulch such a pine, or bark will have to be replaced every year.... a mulch made of ground up tires will last much longer.... gravel is a long term option as well...

Be sure and use a good quality landscape fabric to prevent weeds and some sort of border or edging to keep the milch or gravel from wandering out into the yard.

My self, I use shredded leaves and cut grass as mulch. It has to be renewed as needed, but I also know that the nutrition is getting put in the soil as it decomposes and really does help the soil stay moist for a long time.

That's a personal preference on what you would like to look at.