Stone inplace of mulch

Cheryl Costa
by Cheryl Costa
  7 answers
  • Deb K Deb K on Apr 22, 2018

    yes, But you should put landscape fabric down first to prevent weeds, level the mulch as best you can and cover it with the landscape fabric, put the roc on top and level.

  • Beth W Beth W on Apr 22, 2018

    I lived in the Southwest for years and this is a common way to landscape there. Remove the mulch. If you are going to install a drip system buy what you will need (helps keep the water where it needs to go and cuts down on weeds). Install the drip lines. Lay down plastic or weed barrier, cutting holes for your plants/trees. BriNg in the rocks.

    If the rock is very expensive you might want to throw down a layer of less expensive gravel and use a less deep layer of the spendier rock on top. Also leave a bit of dirt exposed at the base of each plant or tree. If you want to get fancy and use several colors of rock use the flexible edging to separate the colors and keep a clear design.

  • Sure why not? At my old house we did an entire bed in river rock. Put down landscape fabric so they do not sink into the ground. Every couple of years, we pull them out, place new landscape fabric down and replace the washed off rocks. Cheaper in the long run than continually buying mulch. But . . . It was on the shady side of the house too. Rocks can get hot and bake your plants if in direct sun too. So choose carefully.

  • William William on Apr 22, 2018

    I have a mixture of river rock and lava rock in my landscaping. Lay down some landscape fabric then the rock/stones.

  • Lsherbach Lsherbach on Apr 22, 2018

    I personally like the idea of mulch...because you can freshen it up every spring and the beds look great.

  • Patty Patty on Apr 22, 2018

    Much draws unwanted bugs, especialy in the south. I spray my rocks with Wet and Forget, won't harm plants.


  • M. M.. M. M.. on Apr 22, 2018

    You will need to lay ground cloth/landscaping cloth before the rocks to prevent weeds from sprouting between the rocks. Soil and seeds will naturally deposit there and after a year or two start growing everywhere! It's a real pain to weed around rocks/pebbles!