If you live in Iowa, you know the drill. One minute you’re scraping ice off your windshield, and the next, you’re sweating through your shirt trying to get the lawnmower started. Our weather is, shall we say, spirited. And just like your wardrobe needs to handle everything from blizzards to heatwaves, your landscape does too.

This brings us to the question we get asked constantly here at Larkin Landscape: "Should I use rock or mulch?"

It sounds simple, right? But we’ve seen this debate divide households faster than a Hawkeyes vs. Cyclones game. On one side, you have the “Mulch Purists” who love that fresh, earthy smell of spring. On the other, the “Rock Loyalists” who just want to lay it down once and never touch it again.

The honest truth? There is no single “best” answer, but there is a best answer for you. Whether you’re in Waukee, West Des Moines, or right here in our backyard, the right choice depends on your soil, your shade, and how much time you actually want to spend pulling weeds on a Saturday morning.

Let’s dig into the nitty-gritty of rock vs mulch in Iowa, strip away the sales talk, and look at what actually works in our soil.

The Case for Mulch: The Unsung Hero of Plant Health

Let’s start with the classic. When we talk about mulch in Central Iowa, we aren’t talking about that cheap stuff that fades to gray by July. We’re usually talking about high-quality shredded hardwood or cedar mulch.

There is a reason seasoned gardeners usually gravitate toward mulch. It’s not just about looks, it’s about life support.

1. It’s a Blanket for Your Roots: Iowa summers get hot. We’re talking about that heavy, humid heat that makes the air feel like soup. Shallow-rooted plants (like your hydrangeas or hostas) struggle when the sun bakes the soil. Mulch acts like a thermos. It keeps the soil cool in July and insulates it against that first hard frost in October.

2. The “Feed Me” Factor: This is the human part of nature. Mulch is organic. As it breaks down, it turns into compost. It’s literally feeding your plants while it sits there. If you have heavy clay soil (which, let’s be honest, most of us in Iowa do), decomposing mulch helps loosen that clay over time, making it easier for roots to breathe.

3. The Aesthetic: There is nothing quite like the contrast of deep brown mulch against bright green boxwoods. It pops. It looks finished. It smells like a forest. For curb appeal, a fresh layer of mulch is the cheapest facelift you can give your house.

The Downside? The “Re-Do”: Here is the reality check. Mulch disappears. It decomposes. That means you are signing up for a yearly or bi-yearly chore. You have to top it off. Also, if we get one of those nasty Midwest wind storms, lighter mulch can end up in your neighbor's yard.

The Case for Rock: The “One and Done” Warrior

Now, let’s talk about the heavy hitter: River rock landscaping.

If you drive around the newer developments in Urbandale or Grimes, you’ll see a lot of rock. And for good reason. It’s the closest thing to “permanent” you can get in landscaping.

1. Durability is King: Rock doesn't rot. It doesn’t fade much. It doesn’t turn into dirt. You pay for it once, you install it, and ten years later, it’s arguably still there. For homeowners who travel a lot or just hate yard work, this is the golden ticket.

2. Drainage Dreams: If you have a spot in your yard where water rushes through during a storm, mulch is going to float away. We’ve seen it happen a hundred times. River rock, especially the larger 2 inch stuff we tend to use, stays put. It allows water to drain through quickly without washing out.

3. No More “Mulch Mold”: In shady, damp corners of the yard, mulch can sometimes get slimy or grow that weird dog vomit fungus (yes, that’s the real name). Rock dries out faster and doesn’t host mold.

The Downside? The Heat and the Cost: Rocks get hot. Really hot. On a 90 degree day, a bed of rocks can reflect heat back onto your plants, baking them from the bottom up. You have to be careful which plants you pair with rock. Also, let’s talk budget, rock is going to cost you 3 to 4 times more upfront than mulch. It pays for itself over time, but that initial check is larger.

The Elephant in the Room: Weed Control

Here is the biggest myth in the industry: “If I put down rock, I’ll never have weeds again.”

We wish we could tell you that was true. We really do. But weeds are survivors.

With Mulch: Weed control comes from depth. You need a solid 3 to 4 inches of mulch to block the sunlight so weed seeds can't germinate. If you skimp and only do an inch, you’re going to have a weed garden. The nice thing is, when weeds do pop up in mulch, they are usually easy to pull because the soil underneath is soft.

With Rock: We always install a heavy duty landscape fabric under rock. This stops weeds from growing up from the soil. However, it doesn't stop weed seeds from blowing in on top of the rocks. Over time, dust and dirt settle in the crevices of the stones. Weeds will sprout in that dust.

Pro Tip: To keep river rock landscaping looking clean, you have to clean it. We recommend taking a leaf blower to your rock beds a few times a year to blow out the dust and leaves before they turn into soil for weeds.

So, when it comes to weed control, rock is better structurally, but neither option is magic. You still have to keep an eye on things.

The Iowa Factor: Weathering the Storms

Living in the Midwest adds a layer of complexity to the rock vs mulch Iowa debate.

The Freeze-Thaw Cycle: Our ground heaves in the winter. Rock is heavy and usually stays in place, but if you don’t have good edging (like steel or concrete pavers), those rocks will migrate into your lawn over winter. There is nothing worse than hitting a piece of river rock with your lawnmower. Clang!

The Wind: If you live on an open lot with no windbreak, lightweight mulch can be a nightmare. In those specific high-wind zones, we almost always recommend rock or a heavier, double-shredded hardwood mulch that knits together like a mat.

When to Use Which: The Larkin Landscape Cheat Sheet

Still torn? Here is how we break it down when we are designing a property for a client.

Use Rock If:

You have drainage issues: Swales, downspout areas, or steep slopes where rain washes out soil.
It’s a foundation bed: Many people like a clean strip of rock right up against the house foundation. It keeps moisture and bugs away from the siding better than mulch.
You hate maintenance: If you want to set it and forget it, rock is your friend.
You have a pool: Mulch in a pool filter is a disaster. Rock stays on the ground.
Use Mulch If:
You love plants: If you want a lush, cottage-garden look with lots of perennials, annuals, and shrubs, mulch is biologically better for them.
You have trees: Trees love the “forest floor” environment mulch creates. Rock can suffocate tree roots if piled too high.
Budget is tight: You can mulch a massive area for a fraction of the price of rock.
You like to change things up: If you decide to move a plant next year, digging through mulch is easy. Digging through rock and cutting fabric? Not so much.

Why Not Both? The Hybrid Approach

Who says you have to pick a side? Some of the best landscapes we’ve done in Central Iowa use both.

Picture this: A beautiful border of river rock around the perimeter of the house for drainage and a clean look, but then inner “island” beds filled with cedar mulch and colorful hydrangeas. Or, using rock for high traffic pathways and mulch for the delicate planting beds.

Mixing materials adds texture and visual interest. It stops the yard from looking like a “sea of brown” or a “parking lot of stone.”

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, your landscape needs to work for your life.

If you are retired and love spending mornings tinkering in the garden, you might not mind the annual mulching ritual, in fact, you might enjoy the smell of fresh cedar as much as we do. If you’re a busy family with three kids in soccer and a dog that runs laps around the house, river rock landscaping might save you precious hours of weekend freedom.

No matter which way you lean, the secret is installation. Rock needs quality fabric and proper edging. Mulch needs proper depth, but not volcano piles around tree trunks, please, don’t do that.

Still not sure what your yard needs? That’s what we are here for. At Larkin Landscape, we’ve seen every type of Iowa yard imaginable. We can inspect your property, look at your drainage, and give you a straight answer on what will give you the most curb appeal for your buck.

Let’s get your yard looking its best, whether that involves a truckload of rock or a bed of fresh mulch.

Ready to transform your outdoor space? Contact Larkin Landscape today and let’s get digging.

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Prepare Landscape for Spring: 8 Expert Secrets

How to Prepare Your Landscape in Winter for a Healthier, More Beautiful Spring

By Andrew Larkin • January 14, 2026

Want a stunning yard this year? Learn how to prepare landscape for spring with our proven checklist for hardscapes and plants. Start planning your oasis now.

Snow Removal in Iowa: Residential vs Commercial What’s the Difference

By Andrew Larkin • January 6, 2026

The 4 a.m. Alarm: An Iowa Winter Reality If you’ve lived in Iowa for more than a single winter, you know the sound. It’s not your alarm clock, it’s the muffled ‘scrape-scrape-scrape’ of a shovel hitting concrete before the sun even comes up. Iowa winters are beautiful, sure. The blanket of white over the cornfields is postcard-perfect, until you have to drive through it to get to work or open your shop for customers. That’s when the reality sets in: snow isn’t just weather here, it’s a logistical hurdle. At Larkin Landscape, we’ve spent years battling Iowa’s unpredictable elements, from those heavy, wet snowfalls in December to the biting ice storms of February. One question we often hear from our neighbors in Des Moines, Ankeny, and Iowa City is, "Is there really a difference between hiring someone for my driveway and hiring a crew for my business?" The short answer? Yes. The long answer? It comes down to two things: urgency and liability. Let’s grab a warm cup of coffee and dive into what separates residential snow plowing services from commercial ice management, and why knowing the difference matters for your peace of mind. Residential Snow Removal: Reclaiming Your Morning For homeowners, snow removal is personal. It’s about getting the kids to school safely and not throwing out your back before your first meeting. When you hire a pro for residential snow removal in Iowa, you’re essentially buying time. You’re paying for the luxury of hitting the snooze button while someone else handles the heavy lifting. 1. The Scope is Smaller (But Details Matter) Residential jobs are typically about precision in tight spaces. We aren't clearing acres of asphalt, we’re navigating around your kid’s basketball hoop, your meticulously planted boxwoods, and that one car parked a little too close to the edge of the driveway. Equipment here is different, too. While we might bring a plow truck for a long driveway, we often rely on snow blowers and shovels for the detail work. Why? Because a massive commercial plow can do a number on a residential lawn if you aren't careful. We treat your property like our own, ensuring the snow is moved away from the house (to prevent wet basements when it melts) without burying your mailbox. 2. The Schedule is Life-Dependent Residential triggers are usually simpler. Most homeowners want service after the snow stops falling or reaches a certain depth (usually 2 inches). The goal is clear access. You need to get out of the garage, and the mail carrier needs to get to the door. It’s about restoring the flow of your daily life. Commercial Snow Removal: The Zero Tolerance Game If residential snow removal is about convenience, commercial snow removal is about risk management. For business owners in Iowa, snow isn't just an inconvenience, it’s a liability lawsuit waiting to happen. If a customer slips on a patch of black ice outside your storefront, the consequences are far heavier than just a wet pair of pants. This is where the term ice management takes center stage. 1. It’s Not Just About Moving Snow; It’s About Melting Risk Commercial contracts are intense. We operate with what we call a "zero tolerance" policy for ice. In a residential setting, a little hard packed snow on the driveway might be acceptable for a few hours. In a commercial lot? Absolutely not. This means we aren't just plowing, we are pre-treating surfaces with brine or salting immediately after clearing. Sidewalk clearing becomes a high stakes game. We have to ensure that handicap ramps, loading docks, and emergency exits are down to the pavement. 2. The 24/7 Monitoring Cycle Unlike residential routes that might run once the storm passes, commercial snow removal in Iowa is a round the clock operation. Imagine a hospital entrance or a 24-hour gym. We can’t wait for the snow to stop. We are often out there during the storm, making multiple passes to keep lanes open. We monitor weather radar specifically for ground temperature drops to predict when wet pavement will turn into a skating rink. 3. Heavy-Duty Artillery Remember those snow blowers we mentioned for homes? They rarely cut it here. Commercial jobs require skid steers, frontend loaders, and massive V-plows to stack snow into designated snow piles that won't block visibility for drivers. We have to plan where the snow goes before the first flake even falls, ensuring it doesn't melt and refreeze across the parking lot later. The Science of Salt: It’s Not Just Sprinkling Magic Dust You might think throwing salt down is the universal fix, but in Iowa, it’s actually a science. One thing many people don’t realize is that standard rock salt loses its effectiveness when temperatures dip below 15°F. In January, when we hit those sub-zero wind chills, throwing cheap salt on your sidewalk is like throwing gravel, it won’t melt a thing. This is where the difference in service really shines. For our residential clients, we’re hyper-aware of your landscape and your furry friends. We often use blended products that are gentler on concrete and safe for Fido’s paws. Over-salting a driveway can burn your grass come spring, leaving you with brown edges that are a pain to fix. On the commercial side, however, we often have to use more aggressive treated salts or liquid brine. We can’t risk a ‘slip and fall’ lawsuit, so we use products designed to cut through ice even in extreme cold. It’s a balancing act between safety, budget, and environmental care that requires a professional touch to get right. The Iowa Factor: Why Local Expertise Wins Whether it’s residential or commercial, the Iowa Factor changes the game. Our weather doesn't follow a script. We get those wintry mixes, rain turning to sleet turning to snow, that create a concrete like layer of ice underneath the fluff. National chains that manage snow removal from a call center in a different time zone often miss these nuances. They don't know that the wind whips across the open plains of Central Iowa, causing massive drifts on north facing driveways even after the snow has stopped. At Larkin Landscape, we are local. We know that in Ankeny, the wind chill can freeze a wet sidewalk in minutes. We know the local ordinances in Des Moines regarding how quickly public sidewalks need to be cleared (usually 24 hours). A Human Approach to a Cold Job: We believe that whether you are a frantic mom needing to get the minivan out or a property manager worrying about tenant safety, you deserve a human response. You aren't just a route number to us. ● For our Residential Clients: We promise to respect your property boundaries and your sleep schedule as best we can. ● For our Commercial Clients: We promise documentation. We keep logs of when we plowed and when we salted, protecting you if a liability claim ever arises. Which Service Do You Need? If you are reading this and wondering, "Do I need a commercial contract for my large rural driveway?" or "Can I just hire a neighborhood kid for my small business lot?", here is a quick rule of thumb: ● Traffic Volume: If you have strangers (customers/employees) walking on your property daily, you need commercial grade ice management and insurance protection. ● Tolerance for Delays: Can you wait until the storm ends to leave your house? Residential service is a perfect fit. Do you need the lot clear by 7:00 a.m. sharp regardless of when the storm hit? That’s a commercial necessity. Ready for Winter? Winter in Iowa is inevitable, but the stress that comes with it doesn't have to be. Whether you need your front walk cleared or a shopping center maintained, Larkin Landscape has the local know-how to keep you moving. Don't wait for the first blizzard warning to start Googling "snow plowing services." By then, our schedules and our mugs of hot cocoa are already full. Contact Larkin Landscape Today to discuss your winter plan. Let’s keep Iowa safe, one cleared sidewalk at a time.

French drain cost Iowa, yard drainage Iowa

Drainage Problems in Iowa Yards: 7 Fixes That Actually Work

By Andrew Larkin • December 15, 2025

Tired of a muddy lawn? Explore seven drainage fixes that truly work and find out the average French drain cost Iowa homeowners pay. Read the full guide today.

Commercial Landscaping in Iowa: Maintenance Calendars, Contracts & KPIs

By Andrew Larkin • December 3, 2025

Protect your buildings with expert storm damage restoration Philadelphia after severe weather. Learn an essential action plan for managers today. Get help fast.

Native Iowa Landscaping: 15 Low-Maintenance Plants

By Andrew Larkin • November 18, 2025

Build a low-maintenance landscape with Iowa native plants. Explore 15 prairie perennials that thrive in Iowa for color, pollinators, and easy care.

Retaining Walls in Iowa: Costs, Drainage & Erosion Control

By Andrew Larkin • October 29, 2025

Learn when you need a retaining wall in Iowa, how much block retaining walls cost, and why proper drainage and erosion control matter for your yard.

Seasonal Landscaping Tips: What to Do Each Quarter

By Andrew Larkin • October 15, 2025

Seasonal Landscaping Tips for Your Iowa Home You have to work all year to keep your Iowa property looking its best. Your lawn and landscape need various things at different times of the year because summers are hot and humid and winters are cold and snowy. The key to having a beautiful, healthy, and strong outdoor area is knowing what to do and when to do it. We put together a whole guide to seasonal landscaping just for households in Central Iowa. Follow these tips every three months to keep your property healthy from the first thaw of spring to the last snowstorm of winter.

Rock vs Mulch in Iowa Landscapes: Pros, Cons & When to Use Each