- $40.00/ Cubic Yard
Rock Mulch
Material Calculator
Disclaimer: This calculation tool is for general use only and provides only an approximate estimate of product requirements. Ferndale Gardens makes no claims as to the accuracy of the calculation below and recommends its use at your own risk and satisfy yourself of the product quantity to purchase.
Rock mulch of limestone chips
This product consists of stone particles of 1/4 inch size. As any mulch, it retains moisture in the soil, keeps soil temperatures even, restricts weed growth and soil compaction, decreases frost heaving in spring, and makes the garden soil neat and not muddy, that is especially important for the small plants to be spectacular. Stone mulch is used in rock gardens, flower beds, plant growing containers, etc.
The benefits of stone mulch compared to other mulches:
- it does not decompose, hence lasts longer
- it does not absorb moisture, so chances of fungi growth are much lower
- it does not deplete nitrogen from the soil
- it is heavy, so tends to stay where it is
- it is low maintenance
It is especially recommended for alpine plants and in general for any plants that require alkaline or neutral soil, as it decreases the soil acidity (increases pH).
Other kinds of rock mulch
Alternatively, especially for larger plants, you can use pea stone or river stone of various sizes as rock mulch. They are available at our stone yard too.
Stone chips as a soil component
I use these stone chips not only as mulch but also as a soil component for my rock gardens. Succulents and other alpine plants grow well in such soil that passes the water and creates an "alpine" look. I have learned to do so at the Botanical Garden of NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR UNIVERSITY when travelling there. You can find their rock gardening recommendations on their website. They use 2 - 4 cm mulch of 3/8" chip stone and also add it to the rock garden soil to mimic the soils of the highlands. The composition of their soil for rock gardening is:
- 1 part topsoil
- 1 part organic material (peat, compost and/or leaf mold)
- 1 part 1/4 chip stone or coarse sand
Limestone chips can be a beneficial soil component not only in rock gardens but in other types of gardens too, especially when the soil contains lots of clay. Clay soil tends to retain an excessive amount of water and becoming muddy but becomes stone hard when dry. Gravel in a proper proportion prevents clay soil from being soggy by improving drainage. When clay soil dries out, the gravel in it prevents solid mass formation.
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Updated on July 22, 2022
