The big gravel versus mulch choice for my new garden path

I was stuck between using crushed gravel or wood mulch for a 20 foot path around my raised beds. The gravel was more money up front, about $150 for the amount I needed, but the mulch would need replacing every year or two. I went with the gravel last month and it's already paid off... we had a huge rainstorm and the path didn't wash out or get muddy at all. The initial work laying it down was a bit tougher, but now I don't have to think about it. Has anyone else picked a more permanent fix over something cheaper that needs more upkeep?

3 comments

3 Comments

faithwalker17d ago

My neighbor put in gravel paths three years ago and now they're full of weeds. He spends more time spraying weed killer than I ever spend refreshing my mulch. That initial cost doesn't include the ongoing fight to keep it clean.

nancyramirez16d ago

Guess your neighbor missed the memo about putting down weed barrier first. Now he's basically running a gravel farm.

dakotas5416d ago

Wow, that's a whole new level of bad planning. @faithwalker's neighbor spraying for years sounds like a nightmare. You'd think people would learn from others' mistakes.