Mulch vs. Rip Rap: Best Practices for Your Garden

Spring has finally sprung, and you're probably itching to get back into your yard and garden!  After you plant new trees, shrubs, or flowers, you'll want to add the finishing touch - mulch.  Adding mulch to your landscape will make it appear pristine and refined, but mulching goes beyond its aesthetic appeal.  The right mulch for your garden helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, improve soil condition, and protect your plants from extreme temperatures.  

But which is the right type of mulch for your garden?  Should you opt for traditional organic mulch or replace it with a different option, like rip rap?  In this post, we're going to take a look at the benefits of mulch vs. rip rap so you can implement the best practices for your garden.

What is Mulch?

Mulch is defined as any material used to cover the top layer of soil.  Organic mulch typically includes items like wood chips, bark, straw, hay, leaves, or grass clippings.  

Benefits of Organic Mulch

• Moisture Retention - One of the biggest benefits to mulching in your garden is its ability to conserve soil moisture.  By creating a protective barrier between the soil and the atmosphere, mulch will reduce evaporation and help prevent the soil from drying out, reducing the need for frequent watering. 

• More Nutrients - As mulch breaks down and decomposes, it adds nutrients to the soil that help plants thrive.  

• Fewer Weeds - Mulch can suppress weed growth by blocking sunlight and making it difficult for weed seeds to germinate.

• Better Plant Growth - By improving the soil structure, mulch can nearly double how fast trees and plants grow!

• Temperature - Mulch insulates the soil, helping to protect plant roots from extreme temperatures.

• Reduced Erosion - Mulch hinders soil erosion, which is uncontrolled wherever the soil is left bare.  

Considerations When Adding Mulch to Your Garden

• Annual Replacement - Organic mulch eventually breaks down and decomposes into the soil.  Depending on the type of mulch you use, you may need to replace it every one to four years.

• Potential for "Mulch Volcanoes" - Mulching too close to tree trunks can encourage rot and disease.  It's important to keep a clear space around plants when adding mulch to your garden.

• Timing - Mulching too early may slow how quickly the ground warms, which means you could see blooms later than normal.  On the other hand, if you mulch too late, it may not stop weeds from germinating.  The best time to add mulch to your garden is generally mid to late spring, after the soil has warmed up and before weeds start to sprout.

• Check for Seeds - Some organic mulches may have weed seeds in them.

What is Rip Rap?

Riprap, an alternative to traditional mulch, is a layer of stones or boulders of varying shapes and sizes, primarily used to protect the soil and other structures from erosion.  Also known as "rockscaping", rip rap is commonly used along shorelines, streambeds, and on sloped surfaces, but can be used in any kind of landscaping project.

Benefits of Rip Rap

• Low Maintenance - Rip rap is durable and will seldom need to be replaced.

• Cost-Effective - Because rip rap is long-lasting, it is generally more cost-effective than mulch in the long run.

• Erosion Control - Rip rap is effective in preventing soil erosion, especially on slopes or shorelines.

• Fire Resistant - If you live in an area prone to wildfires, rocks provide defensible space since they are non-flammable.

• Fewer Weeds - Weeds have a hard time germinating and growing through rip rap.

• Aesthetic Appeal - Rip rap adds a visually interesting element to a garden or landscape.

• Drainage - Rip rap can help drain water and prevent waterlogging.

Considerations When Adding Rip Rap to Your Garden

• Temperature - Rocks can raise the soil temperature and radiate heat long after the sun sets, leading to stressed-out, thirsty plants.

• Cost - Rip rap is generally more expensive than mulch initially, especially if large quantities are needed.  However, as we've mentioned, rip rap may be more cost-effective in the long run.

• pH Level - Most trees favor acidic soil, however, some carbonate rocks used in rip rap create alkaline soil, which can harm your trees.

• Clean Out - Litter and debris can accumulate among rocks, which will need to be manually cleaned out.  This is a time-consuming task that also robs nutrients from the soil, which may need to be replaced with fertilizer.

• Removal by Hand - If you decide you want to remove the stones in your garden, they will need to be removed by hand.  This can be a tedious job!

• Return of Weeds - Wind can blow soil between gaps in rip rap, creating a spot for weeds to grow.

The best choice between mulch and rip rap for your garden will depend on your landscaping needs and personal preference.  Mulch is generally better for soil health and structure, whereas rip rap requires less maintenance and excels in erosion control.  

Contact Neil and Nick’s Landscaping today to install mulch or rip rap beds on your Winnipeg property!