# Tejas gravel vs. mulch beds | JIT Landscape & Design By Vincent Justice. Published 2026-09-03. > Black gravel beds are the look of the moment in McKinney's newer neighbourhoods. Here is when they work — and when mulch still wins. 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Guide # Tejas gravel vs. mulch: which is right for your beds? By Vincent Justice · September 2026 · JIT Landscape & Design, McKinney ![Agave and yucca in black gravel along the entry](https://cdn.gxbsites.com/blobs/22991d1605b3e441b1984913bec28a5d17bcad8be1e361a876dad9b4a1cc72f1/asset.jpg) 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. ### Need a hand with this? Free estimates across McKinney and Collin County. [Request estimate](https://www.jitdesign.net/contact)[Call](tel:+14694244758) ### More from the blog - [When is the best time to install sod in North Texas?](https://www.jitdesign.net/blog/best-time-to-install-sod-north-texas) - [Why is my crepe myrtle's bark turning black?](https://www.jitdesign.net/blog/crepe-myrtle-black-bark-powdery-mildew) - [Erosion, standing water and mud: fixing yard drainage in Collin County](https://www.jitdesign.net/blog/fix-yard-drainage-erosion-ground-cover) ## Ready for a yard you are proud of? Call or text Vincent, or send a few photos. Free on-site estimates across McKinney and Collin County, with a written price the same day. [Get a free estimate](https://www.jitdesign.net/contact)[(469) 424-4758](tel:+14694244758) [![JIT Landscape & Design logo](https://cdn.gxbsites.com/blobs/c4fccb7d01f12a2e12b63493b5a187efe92430290b0821ec1fd5be54f75f9e2e/asset.svg)JIT _Landscape & Design_Function · Design · Install](https://www.jitdesign.net/)Owner-operated by Vincent Justice Serving McKinney, Collin County and North Dallas [(469) 424-4758](tel:+14694244758) · [Text us](sms:+14694244758) ## Services - [Landscape design & installation](https://www.jitdesign.net/services/landscape-design-installation) - [Sod installation](https://www.jitdesign.net/services/sod-installation) - [Pavers, walkways & patios](https://www.jitdesign.net/services/pavers-walkways-patios) - [Gravel beds, river rock & steel edging](https://www.jitdesign.net/services/gravel-beds-river-rock-edging) - [Trees & shrubs: planting, trimming, removal](https://www.jitdesign.net/services/tree-shrub-planting-trimming) - [Drainage & irrigation repair](https://www.jitdesign.net/services/drainage-irrigation) - [Bed clean-ups, mulch & seasonal colour](https://www.jitdesign.net/services/flower-bed-cleanup-mulch-seasonal-color) - [Artificial turf](https://www.jitdesign.net/services/artificial-turf) - [Stone borders & small retaining walls](https://www.jitdesign.net/services/stone-borders-retaining-walls) ## Company - [Projects & gallery](https://www.jitdesign.net/projects) - [About Vincent & JIT](https://www.jitdesign.net/about) - [Reviews](https://www.jitdesign.net/reviews) - [Service area](https://www.jitdesign.net/service-area) - [FAQ](https://www.jitdesign.net/faq) - [Blog](https://www.jitdesign.net/blog) - [Careers — join the crew](https://www.jitdesign.net/careers) - [Contact / free estimate](https://www.jitdesign.net/contact) ## Hours - Monday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM - Tuesday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM - Wednesday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM - Thursday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM - Friday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM - Saturday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM - SundayClosed We accept credit cards, Zelle and Venmo. © 2026 JIT Landscape & Design · McKinney, TX 75071 - [Privacy policy](https://www.jitdesign.net/privacy) - [Sitemap](https://www.jitdesign.net/sitemap.xml) [Call](tel:+14694244758)[Text](sms:+14694244758)[Free estimate](https://www.jitdesign.net/contact) ## Contact - Phone: (469) 424-4758 - Hours: Mon-Sat 7 AM - 5 PM - Web: https://www.jitdesign.net