This Huge Landscaping Mistake May Cause You To Burn Your Plants

You might not even realize that you are stressing out your plants with a common landscaping choice. Adding rocks to cover your garden beds can seem like a better way to repress weeds compared to mulch. But before deciding which is the perfect landscaping for your taste, rocks versus mulch, consider all the facts. Dark landscaping rocks spread at the base of many plants and can contribute to heat stress. The heat retained by a rocky ground cover might make plants "burn" up in the heat of summer. So before landscaping with dark rocks, consider what you can do to prevent this huge landscaping mistake in your yard.

In areas that receive an excess of sunlight, rocks absorb heat. Once absorbed, this heat is released slowly, drawing water from the leaves of your plants. By adding dark rocks as a ground cover around your flowers and shrubs, you are essentially creating miniature heat islands. As the rocks release heat, the temperature of the air raises around it, burning up your poor plants. Soil temperatures are also raised as a result, creating heat stress and draining moisture. Keep in mind that rock can reach 140 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit after exposure to the summer sun. In response to these higher than normal temperatures, plants often become physically stressed, with outward signs like leaf rolling, wilting, dry leaves, and other damage.

It's not always a mistake to use dark landscaping rocks in your yard. Instead of avoiding them altogether, try to use them where they won't cause problems. In shady spots of your garden, landscaping rocks can be a great way to keep weeds down. Without the sun beating down on them, the rocks will not heat up. And that means you can add beautiful flowers that grow perfectly in shade without worrying as much about burning their delicate leaves.

There are so many different types of rock to use in landscaping, and it's equally vital that you find the best one for your purposes. While dark landscaping rocks can be a harsh choice, a lighter-colored stone can reflect heat instead of absorbing it. Consider using lighter rocks to avoid generating excess heat around your plants. You can also try to be strategic about your rock usage. Don't just attempt to cover every inch of your empty yard space with rocks to avoid mowing or weeding. A little rock can be attractive and useful without the negative impact. You can try to use it in areas without as much sun exposure, particularly the north and east sides of your home.