[JohnN]

Experience, Opinions, Etc. welcome as I ponder whether to use river rock, some other rock, or a plant based material (mulch, bark, etc) or something else (ie: ground up tires)

Situation: Patio Villa, Budget minded, wanted LOW (read as NO) maintenance.
Will get to the plants another time, just wanting to firm up the foundation.

Initial thoughts - rock - costlier but long lasting, doesn't retain moisture for bugs, not weed friendly.

Mulch, if used, would be less expensive initially, but likely would have to be eucalyptus or cypress (not good to use cypress, is it? cypress folks say it's endangered) to deter bugs.

What do you think?

[784caroline]

The other factors against rock is that 1) rock retains heat,2) more labor insensive to haul and spread, and 3) During the tornado, the small rocks were actually propelled by the winds and acted as bullets smashing through windows and siding

[Lil Dancer]

We used rubber mulch at our patio villa. It is obviously more expensive than plant mulch, but we liked the looks, and it should last a long time. You have to put it in thick enough.

[JohnN]

Here's an interesting Consumer Reports link on rubber vs. plant mulch...

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...view/index.htm

[gemorc]

If you are going to have plants, by all means, use mulch. The purpose of mulch is to retain moisture for the plants. Insecticides can be used to control the insects.

If you want a purely decorative look then you could use stone. Besides the heat and blowing features mentioned above, rock is very labor intensive.

[barb1191]

I had rubber mulch put in and eventually had it taken out. I found it to be very messy as the rubber bits ended up on the lawn and pavements. Figured that critters running around during the night must have had something to do with the spread of the rubber bits. Then went to rock. .....b

PS: Someone in our neighborhood also had rubber and had it removed for the same reason.

[784caroline]

Another isssue with wood mulch is "Termites"/ If you dont have them now you will eventually!

[Laura]

We had mulch, took it all out. It blows around with a little wind, attracts termites and spiders. We have rocks now and are very happy with them. Also, the mulch just disappears after a while.

[F16 1UB]

Our mulch is coming out. Looks awful. Rock going in. As for plants a landscaper can install drip line for your plants. Ask DickY.

F16

[Donna]

F16.. I hate looking at mulch, pine staw and all that other stuff they use..

[travelstiles]

HB and I attended the garden club meeting this week and the cooperative extension repesentative was the guest speaker (Jim Davis). In terms of rock vs mulch, some considerations discussed were:
- rock & stone retain heat and draw water from the soil, so any plants surrounded by rock would need more frequent watering
- mulch too close to a house is not a good idea because of termites.
- allow a 6" border of rock (no mulch) around the house foundation
- rubber also holds the heat
- mulch retains more moisture
- mulch needs to be replenished annually, and turned over as well
- pine bark and straw is economical and used by TV in their landscaping
- keep mulch 3-4" from the base of a tree

If any of you have specific gardening questions, you can contact Jim Davis at the cooperative extension office located on 466 and Morse in the sherrif's building. They have some reference materials as well. Some good websites suggested:

http://floridayards.org/
http://www.ufl.edu/
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/

[Donna]

Travel,
Are there any places to buy lanscape rock and have it trucked in?? I think it would be cheaper than buying it from the landscapers...

[JohnN]

Donna, barefoot at last knows a lot about this topic, she suggested
Zach Andrews at Have Rock will Roll 352-274-5635 for rock only and reasonable prices.
Also says a place called Dirt Cheap on 441 is the source for all the rock around here.

[JohnN]

travel , and others, good tips, thanks

[Donna]

Thanks guys...great info.. :bigthumbsup: