All have great points pine straw vs. stone
 

If you are interested in the best company pm me and I will let you see our job. KGL Landscaping is very affordable and guarantee their work. Designer knows her stuff. They also have a website to get great ideas and see their work. 352-347-8307

We have had rock for three years and our plants are thriving. As for pine straw, bark, or nuggets, they do wash in the rain and the wind will also blow them all over the place.

KGL Landscaping did my home, also. Kevin and Jeannie are great!

I think Jeannie went out to our place today to get me an estimate! Waiting to hear from her, thanks everyone for thre referral, detail and thoughtfulness of all your replies.

lawn guys charge more to weed if there is stones, not sure but they just put down pine staw at our house

Sure they charge more, they are making up for not selling you mulch:evil6:

How about using low growing ground cover plants instead!

Ground Covering Plants For Central Florida

Asparagus Fern, Full Sun, Part Shade
Asiatic Jasmine, Full Sun, Part Shade
Beach Morning Glory, Full Sun
Begonia, Full Sun, Part Shade, ( Depending On Species )
Blue Daze, Full Sun, Part Shade
Boston fern, Shade
Bromeliad, Shade, Part Shade, ( Depending On Species )
Carolina Jasmine, Full Sun, Part Shade
Chinese Juniper (Parsoni, Varigata) Full Sun
Creeping Juniper (Bar Harbor, Blue Rug) Full Sun, Part Shade
Dichondra, Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Daylilly, Full Sun, Part Shade
Dwarf Lantana, Full Sun
Dwarf Lilly, Shade
Dwarf Yaupon Holly, Full Sun
English Ivy, Shade
Heather, Full Sun, Part Shade
Holly Fern, Shade
Japanese Holly, Full Sun, Part Shade
Liriope, Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade, ( Depending On Species )
Lippia (Match Weed) Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Mondo Grass, Full Sun, Shade
Mimosa, Full Sun, Part Shade
Minema Jasmine, Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Periwinkle (Vinca) Full Sun
Society Garlic, Full Sun
Shore Juniper (Compacta,Blue Pacific) Full Sun, Part Shade
Trailing Lantana. Full Sun

Excellent Point. I was looking at my Pine straw beds and also the cigarette butts :yuck: from the road blowing in my yard thinking- Hmmmmmmm in this heat and dry spell. Poof is a possibility!

Jimbo. You are just a walking encyclopedia. AND you don't even live here yet. Excited, Huh???

Now that we reserved a lot the planning is a hell of a lot of fun.

I love the look of pine straw and it is good for the soil as it breaks down. However; pine straw fades Very quickly in our Florida sun and is a great nesting site for insects. The stone is nice but many people use it thinking it requires no maintenance. Even with weed block, seeds and dirt will lodge in the rock and germinate. We currently have pine straw and will be replacing it with stone. Each has it pros and cons. Go with the look you love.

Someone suggested using a small propane torch to burn any weeds that get thru the stones.

http://www.flameengineering.com/Asse...gonAction1.jpg

and good for smores...

We hired KGL Landscaping, they did a fabulous job, no more pine straw. Just nice stone!!! Jeannie and Kevin are awesome as recommended to me on TOTV.

Rock cost more in the short run but is less expensive in the long run. This has been my experience. Like many things its a matter of personal preference. Pine straw----fire hazard maybe so-----never thought about it.

Agree!!! I have rocks over a weed block and have had no problems with my plantings. I agree that the bugs and other critters will look for some cooler places to hang out as well.

The rocks also help keep dogs off your plantings and shrubs as well. The rocks are hard and hot on their feet and also eliminates or lessens the extra "watering" of your plantings.