Can You Put Mulch Over Rocks?
Mulch can be a great way to add more texture and color to your landscaping. The problem is there are so many different types, it’s hard to choose the best one for your home. In this article we will answer the following question: can you put mulch over rocks?
You can put mulch over rocks, as long as you follow the proper steps. There’s no harm in adding an existing layer of wood over rock, as it can actually help with drainage and prevent weeds. Let’s take a look at the exact steps you need to take, so you can get this job done right.
Landscaping Mulch Basics
Mulch is a layer of material used in indoor and outdoor gardening projects. It can help prevent weeds, keep bugs away, and improve soil quality. Homeowners often use organic mulch, or inorganic mulch when it comes to landscaping.
Organic Mulch
The most popular types of organic mulch are grass clippings, straw, shredded leaves, pine needles, bark, and wood chips. These materials will not last forever, and they will break down over time.
The one downside is that it will create more work for you in the long term, as the mulch will need to be replaced. Even though you will need to lay down a new organic layer, these mulches do provide many benefits.
As the mulch biodegrades it will release vital nutrients into the soil. The good news is that you can find organic mulch for free. Bagging your grass clippings for example is the perfect way to reuse compost.
Inorganic Mulch
As you may have guessed from the name, this kind of mulch is man made and will not break down over time. Inorganic mulch in commonly made from rubber products, shells, gravel, stones, and shingles.
Unlike organic mulches, these materials will not provide your soil with any benefits. The good news about inorganic mulches is that they are maintenance free.
You won’t have to worry about this layer breaking down, so you can set it and forget it. And if you correctly installed a layer of tarp underneath, there won’t be any need to pull up weeds on a regular basis.
Can You Put Mulch Over Rocks?
There’s nothing wrong with putting mulch over rocks, as long as you do it correctly. This process can save you hours in labor, because you won’t have to haul rocks out from your lawn.
More rocks can also help prevent weeds from popping up around your garden. Just know that your soil won’t receive the same benefits with an additional layer of rock between the ground and wood mulch.
In the sections above we mentioned how organic mulch can provide important nutrients to the soil. This won’t be the case with a few inches of rock blocking the dirt.
How to Lay Mulch Over Rocks
Now that you know it’s possible to put mulch over rocks, the next step is to go through with the project. It’s important to set a few hours aside for this job, as you want to avoid rushing and get it done correctly. You should also check the weather forecast ahead of time, because you don’t want to get stuck doing this work in the rain.
1. Choose the Mulch
Before starting this outdoor project, you have an important decision to make. You can either buy a few bags of wood chips, or use compost for mulch. The latter is the more cost effective option but it does comes with a negative smell. Many people say that compost can smell like rotten eggs, or sulfur.
Most homeowners choose shredded bark for these reasons. It’s one of the least expensive types and it breaks down slowly – which makes it great to use on slopes. It also comes in a variety of colors. If you want to spruce up the outside of your home, choose the right color to match your flowers.
2. Remove Weeds
It’s critical to remove any large weeds before laying down the mulch. These plants will continue to grow, unless you deal with them beforehand. The easiest method is to remove them by hand. This can be time consuming, but you won’t be able to fit any tools in between the rocks.
Once the weeds have been successfully removed, you can choose to install a tarp. Black plastic is traditionally used in landscaping projects to stop the spread of weeds and it prevents mulch from composting further into the ground. This step is optional, but it will help the mulch from sinking into the rocks.
3. Lay Down Mulch
Now that you have removed all of the weeds from the area, it’s time to finally lay down the mulch. This can be a difficult task, especially when you’re working with a large area. The easiest method is to place the bags in a wheelbarrow and drop them a few feet from each other around the house.
When the bags are spread out, cut open the plastic and spread the mulch. The end result should look something like a bunch of small piles of mulch. When all of the bags have been opened, you can spread the mulch with a garden rake. This tool will help you even out the mulch chips to look more appealing.
4. Spray with Water
The last step you will need to do is spray the mulch with water. When first installed the wood chips can slide very easily, especially if they are placed on a slope. Spraying them down with water will help them settle and keep the mulch from moving. You don’t need to soak them completely, as a light mist will do the trick.
Some people think that once the mulch is on the ground, there’s nothing left to do. But you will need to mix and turn the mulch at least once a year. This technique will help break up pieces stick together and ensure that the mulch has not compacted a new layer. You can do this while wearing gloves, or with a rake.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully you have learned that it’s possible to put mulch over rocks when done correctly. You will first need to choose the right kind of mulch for the project.
Compost and bark chips are two different options that both have their own pros and cons. Make sure to remove any weeds before starting this job and place a black tarp down to keep weeds under control.
Once you have followed these steps you can lay down the mulch and spray the surface down with water when you’re done, to help the material settle.
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