Many of you have probably seen a rock yard like this:
Or a garden like this:
The large rocks are usually sourced from quarries or similar mining operations and do not pose an issue, if used sparingly. The real problem lies with the small stones, pebbles and gravel usually sourced from riverbanks and riverbeds. They are not only unsustainably obtained, heavy (Weight is important since rocks are used to reflect heat and improve drainage on roofs) and subjectively ugly, but also degrade the soil they lie on. And unless they are used to make a path, they’re a terrible waste of space.
Rocks are also quite expensive compared to soil, which you can literally make yourself. rock filled yards, gravel around trees and other widespread uses for stones are a depressing and often unsightly urban and landscaping design feature. In moderation, they can add to an aesthetic, but by blocking space for microorganisms dependent on plants, the plants themselves and animals, they ruin yards and cities alike. In fact, here in Germany, in North Rhine-Westphalia, rock yards have been outlawed for being unsustainable and wasting space (https://www.essen.de/meldungen/pressemeldung_1521701.de.html).
Solutions and Alternatives:
What to put on the soil or roof if not rocks? Plants! And there are PLETHORA of options, each with different benefits:
- Low maintenance perennial ground cover plants to produce oxygen, improve drainage, improve soil quality and possibly attract beneficial insects or produce edible parts such as Nasturtium (which is technically an annual but reseeds itself), clover, alfalfa or lupine.
- In a garden, bushes and trees, preferably fruiting!
- Bushes and trees can be surrounded by shade loving crops like salad and spinach or green fertilizers such as dandelions or buckwheat.
- If used as drainage adjacent to a buildings wall, consider taking out the rocks and putting in paving stones or plants on soil
Plants can not only be low-maintenance, but also give something back to you, besides, rocks can contract algae and instead of preventing waterlogged soil, they can just hide it and promote fungal growth
Rocks in your garden also heat areas up by reflecting the sunlight against objects, instead of keeping them at a steady temperature and can cause dry soil and sunburn on surrounding plants.
With all that said and lot more reasons to ponder on about. Consider not using rocks and gravel in your front yard, garden or patio and opting for plants instead.
Thank you for reading!
Kilian