Wood bark chips or stone chips??
 

I'm in the process of deciding landscaping and can't decide to use bark wood chips or stone chips that look like the bark. The stone is much more in price but might be worth it. Any opinions would be helpful...thanks!

Stone. Permanent and the mulch can attract too many unwanted critters and termites.
Only an opinion.

All true but stone conducts heat to the plant roots and radiates heat back up in the surrounding areas.

No regrets putting down seminole rock....worth the price.

If you want to plant any flowers, digging in stone is a tough job.
I have pine bark nuggets, no critters or termites.

True! Once the stone is down it is difficult to make changes even when a plant dies.

I don't find the stone too difficult to move out of the way for a planting. I just use a rake and pull it back, just like I use to do with mulch. Stone definitely gets hot and I was concerned about that, but my plants are flourishing, so that hasn't been a problem.

If your landscaping is on any type of slight slope.......and if heavy rains cause run-off to flow through the beds........and you don't have any type of retaining edge around the outside of the beds - - - - - you'll want to consider the rock over the nuggets. The nuggets will have a tendency to get carried off in hard rains in the above situation.

Bill :)

Bark=Insects. I learned this from a friend who was an exterminator. He advised us NEVER to put wood around your foundation. Just inviting guests...the unwanted kind.

To make the job easier you need
 

The right tool for the job !

We put stone down for our landscaping last year, and I would highly recommend it. It will last forever, I can't imagine replacing the pine mulch a couple of times a year. Flowers are planted easily by raking the stones to the side, and even throughout the heat of the summer, our flowers have flourished. I also think the stone adds a lovely touch to the overall look of one's landscape.

I'd stick with pine straw...we have since 2006 and have no regrets.

I know it's only a personal preference, but to me the stone reminds me of Arizona and New Mexico landscapes. Also pine straw and mulch help replenish the sandy soil but as I said, it is certainly a personal choice.

DITTO.
Couldn't say it better.

Floating chips
 

Agree with Bill and Brillo. A hard rain will tend to wash you bark chips away. I'd go with rock.

We are on our third house in TV. Only made the mistake of wood chips the first time. Stone IMHO is the way to go!

stone!!! Easier maintenance....easy to replace plants when needed....no periodic replace or refresh required.

Around plants one should not have the stone up against the plant....just clear a circle under the plant12-18" in diameter....keeps the heat away and allows the roots to breath.

Once you have the facts/info to make a decision it all comes down to personal preference.

btk

The mulch is less expensive, there aren't any bad critters in there, the geckos eat 'em.
The mulch will toss around a bit in strong winds/rains.
It's healthier for your plants and natural.
The stone is permanent, costlier and easier.

If you're a *yard* person, you'd probably like mulch.
If you're not, then go stone.

Absolutely correct. Especially when they age, they become termite food.

After all these posts, I still don't know what to do. So, if you decide you tire of the placement and want to change the plants in general, are their patches you put down in the weed barrier in the places that have holes? How does that all work?
If you want to plant annuals, then you really want mulch?
Anyone put in stone in the back and then do a "stripe" of mulch to plant the annuals?

or pine needles
 

used by the Villages throughout!

Pine needles blow away, mulch floats away, both are insect magnets ..... stone may get too hot. Dang, what to do? We did stone, at least it does not attract bugs and termites.
Don & Kaz

There is another advantage to using stone, weeds can be burned off.

In fact they sell small propane tanks with long wands that you just point and zap, no chemicals to boot!!

:coolsmiley:

Personally, I don't know that I'd want to try that on any landscaping beds up next to the house.............or on anything during a dry spell............

Bill :)

Not what you think perhaps, Google it.

See [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vK60zTMcWw&feature=fvwrel"]this short clip[/ame]

Depends on how out of control your weeds are - - -

- - - and how comfortable the user feels lighting up a propane-powered weed torch in close proximity to their house........or during a dry spell.........

Bill :wave:

Stone very unhealthy for plants..."bakes" the roots in hot weather. Because they absorb so much heat, it also takes significantly more water to penetrate to plant roots. Both the U of Florida Extension and The Villages landscaping department strongly recommend against the use of stones for mulch. Ask yourself--how come you NEVER see stone mulch in any of The Villages landscaping?

Because it costs more up front. The pine straw is not maintenance free. The Villages supports a whole fleet of landscapers with your dues. I've seen them pull out perfectly good plantings because if they didn't they won't get paid.

staying with pine straw till we are full time

Stone is not maintenance free either. Weed control is still necessary.

We have been through three (3) summers with stone and have not lost one plant or tree. It sounds like minds are made up, so be happy with what works for you. I don't think any thing you chose will give too much stress.