Tejas gravel vs. mulch: which is right for your beds?

Drive through any new subdivision in McKinney, Prosper or Celina and you will see the trend: black Tejas gravel in crisp steel-edged beds with agaves and grasses. We install a lot of it. We also still install plenty of mulch. Here is how we decide.

Where gravel wins

• Maintenance. No annual top-up, no fading, no washing out in a storm.
• Modern houses. Black or grey gravel against white brick, stucco or dark trim looks intentional.
• Low-water plants. Agave, yucca, sago, ornamental grasses and hollies are all happy in gravel.
• Side yards and strips that never grow anything anyway.

Where mulch wins

• Trees and thirsty shrubs. Mulch keeps roots cooler and holds moisture; dark gravel does the opposite in August.
• Seasonal colour beds that get replanted twice a year — much easier in mulch.
• Traditional brick homes and older neighbourhoods where natural tones suit the house better.
• Budget. Mulch is cheaper per bed this year; gravel is cheaper over five.

The hybrid most of our clients choose

Gravel in the foundation beds and along the walkway, a mulched ring around each tree, and steel edging everywhere so the line stays sharp. Weed barrier under both. It is the combination you see on our Trotter and Kevin & Sally projects.

Want to see samples in your own yard? We bring Tejas, river rock and decomposed granite to the estimate.