You can enhance the curb appeal of your home in a single day by investing a little time and money into your landscaping. Your local landscape supply center can help you can do it yourself with fantastic results. When you’re picking out plants, you’ll also need to decide whether mulch or gravel works best for your project. Here’s a helpful guide.

Mulch

Any organic substance that can be used as ground cover is considered mulch, including leaves, grass, and hay, but wood chips are what most people think of when they heard the word. It’s also readily available in different colors and styles at landscaping or gardening centers. Here are a few reasons to choose mulch:

• Aesthetics: Sometimes, people choose mulch simply because they like the way it looks. It comes in a few different colors—typically red, black, and shades of brown. Choose mulch that coordinates with the accents of your home’s exterior.
• Moisture Retention: In the hot summer months, mulch helps your plant roots stay moist by trapping much-needed moisture in the soil.
• Decomposition: As mulch decomposes throughout the year, it releases nutrients that benefit your plants. This also means you must replace mulch each year to continue enjoying its advantages.

Gravel

Pea gravel is an inorganic substance you can use as ground cover. It costs more than mulch but has different advantages that might outweigh the additional cost. These include:

• Drainage: If you have plants that are intolerant of excess moisture, like succulents, gravel may be your best option. Gravel promotes good drainage, guiding excess water away from your plants.
• Protection: Even if your plants don’t like excess water, they still need some moisture. In regions with hot, intense sun, gravel provides protection and prevents the evaporation of the water your plants need.
• Longevity: Gravel doesn’t decompose over time, so you can have it in your garden for years, which can offset the initial cost. It looks fresh for much longer than mulch does.

Once you decide if you want to use mulch or gravel, choose a business that will deliver it right to your driveway so you don’t have to worry about hauling it home. Affordable Landscape Supplies in Burlington, KY, offers pick-up or delivery seven days a week so you can get your landscaping project started today. Call (859) 586-9142 to place your order, or get a free quote online.