Mulching the beds around house
 

I need to consider doing something with the beds around our Patio Villa. I know there are several options using different organic mulch or stone products.

Being new, I have some concerns that I am sure others have considered.

If I select an organic material, I am concerned that I will be introducing termites, ants and other pests into my yard. Organic mulch is a commonly used option so maybe I am just being paranoid.

Please give me your thoughts. Thanks in advance

IMHO organic mulch enriches and benefits the soil. Rock is rock and does nothing but last forever. Have always used organic mulch and the only time I have had a termite problem is when I bought a home with an existing problem unbeknowedst to me. I love organic mulch because it comes from the earth and returns to the earth and nourished the soil. Just one person's opinion.

Mulch next to the house can be messy
 

Mulch within 18 inches or so of the foundation can be knocked into the air and plastered against the siding by rain dripping off the roof. A bed of crushed stone ~18 inches wide can help prevent the house paint from getting dirty and maybe help with some insect problems (carpetenter ants.. at least up here in NE.) The width of the crushed stone bed should be wide enough to be in the path of any water coming off the roof drip edge.

Organic mulch (pine needles,etc.) hold H2O; stone RETAINS heat which is not that good for smaller shrubs. Go on a Mon. morning (9:00-3:00?) & talk to The Master Gardeners on 466, west of Morse on the South side of the street. Located in the same bldg. as the sheriff & county offices.
These people KNOW THERE STUFF!

What could be more organic than rocks?

Rocks hold heat which is not good for roots of plants. Rock holds heat which increases the heat around your home. Mulch has to be replaced from time to time but adds nutrients to the soil. Yup, I'm a mulch fan.

Organic rock would have to be a sedimentary rock such as coal or chalk.

I like my rock mulch. It lasts longer than other kinds of mulch and doesn't require a lot of yard work, which is not one of my interests.

I went down to the U of Florida plant clinic and they told me that rocks can harm your plants as they act as a heat sink causing your expensive landscaping to stress. They advised using pine straw or bark chips . The people down there are master gardeners and I would take their advice over a landscaper looking to sell you a job.

You mentioned you have a patio villa. If your beds aren't expansive and you wish to do flower gardening, using mulch would be preferable in my opinion.
Easier to plant things or change them seasonally, easy to pull weeds out and to effectively apply products like Preen.

My preference would be pine needles as they stay in place well, are easy to lay down or remove and are not expensive. Pine needles also acidify the soil as they break down- good for acid loving plants, such as azaleas and gardenias.

If you are concerned about not attracting bugs (I don't think you need to be overly concerned) there are two good natural alternatives I know of:
Eucalyptus mulch or Melalucca mulch. You can research sources online.
These will be more expensive, but perhaps give you more peace of mind.

There was a scare about termites being brought in through purchased mulch awhile back- as many old or diseased trees that went down in the Louisiana hurricane were shredded, bagged and moved as cheap, unlabeled mulch.

The only real downside to mulch is that it will burn if it is dry and say, a carelessly tossed cigarette butt or spark from a fire pit or barbecue hits it.

Stone still gets weeds popping through, and catches debris. It's good for permanent plantings and has a beautiful appearance but is more difficult to work in if you want to change out plants. Rock will not prevent ant mounds- if those little critters are determined.
I use both rock and mulch in different areas- and also use plants as ground cover.
:)

We just did the stones after fighting with the mulch after each storm.didnt want stones but the mulch was messy and kept running down the route the rain created. UGLY