Mulch
Landscape fabric conserves water, suppresses weeds, and protects the soil, but mulch makes these tasks easier to achieve and extends water availability. The barrier provided by mulch can reduce damage caused by pests and maintenance equipment.
Most local hardware stores provide mulch selections, with bark mulch being the most popular. If you choose this alternative, avoid products that contain dyes in order to protect the soil and keep away pests, such as slugs and snails.
Cardboard
Whether you have a decorative rock garden, you’re going to raise your flower beds, or you want to add a fresh layer of mulch or develop a cutout area for plants to grow in, choosing a cardboard alternative is beneficial. It’s easy to use and keeps plants healthier than landscaping fabric.
You can either buy cardboard from a store or make use of cardboard boxes you already have in your garage or attic. This bypasses the expensive cost that comes with purchasing and installing landscaping fabric without compromising the weed barrier you’re seeking for the yard.
Pine Leaves
This landscaping material can conserve the soil’s moisture within your yard, garden, and other areas, staving off weed growth. The open structure created by laying pine leaves down doesn’t block airflow. Instead, it allows water and fertilizer to penetrate the soil with ease.
If you choose stones and beach pebbles as a landscaping fabric alternative, adding pine leaves can provide an even bigger benefit, as this option will enhance the character of decorative rocks, such as gray, gold, or black polished pebbles. You’ll typically need to place the pine leaves three inches under the stones, making it easier to remove any weeds that find their way through, which will be minimal. The main reason is because pine leaves can soften the soil underneath.
Decorative Rocks, Stones, & Beach Pebbles
Although mulch is a suitable alternative to landscape fabric, it must be replaced yearly. While this is less expensive than landscape fabric, decorative rocks, such as mixed gold or white pebbles, are a more cost-efficient choice and give your yard additional appeal without all the maintenance requirements.
Besides keeping the garden looking great by suffocating weeds, decorative rocks and stones are heavier and will prevent soil erosion. This is because beach pebbles provide air passages for your plants and help water infiltrate the soil better.
To learn more about the options available, contact decorative rock, stone, and beach pebble suppliers who can help with your landscaping project.
No matter what kind of landscaping project you’re planning, decorative rocks and beach pebbles can give it additional depth, character, and beauty. Whether you’re looking for an assortment of Mexican beach pebbles or the highest-quality river rock, reach out to the experts at RS&P Rock Stones & Pebbles, a premier river rock and supply superstore. To learn how we can help you create the landscape of your dreams, call us today.
