What are the cons of river rocks?

• <div><p>While they’re popular and have a lot of pros, the cons of river rocks include the following:</p><ul><li><p>River rocks don’t break down or provide nutrients to plants. </p></li><li><p>These stones can get hot and scorch nearby plants. </p></li><li><p>River stones may heat the surrounding soil to inhospitable temperatures. </p></li><li><p>Rocks can block rainwater from seeping into the ground if installations are too thick or tightly packed.</p></li></ul><p>Most downsides occur when using river rock as mulch in gardens and flower beds. However, you can still incorporate river rocks into your landscape as long as you use them in the correct ways.</p></div>

Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Harpswell, ME

Q: Is it better to mulch over rocks or remove rocks?

• <div><p>In most cases, it&rsquo;s better to remove rocks before adding mulch. Layering the two will restrict drainage and plant health, and can create an unpleasant texture underfoot. </p></div>

Q: What time of year is best to mulch?

• <div><p>Mid to late spring is the best time of year to mulch. If you do it too early in the spring, the mulch could slow down the warming process of the soil and affect how well plants grow. By mid to late spring the temperatures are usually steadying, making it an ideal time to spread mulch.</p></div>

Q: What are the cons of river rocks?

• <div><p>While they&rsquo;re popular and have a lot of pros, the cons of river rocks include the following:</p><ul><li><p>River rocks don&rsquo;t break down or provide nutrients to plants. </p></li><li><p>These stones can get hot and scorch nearby plants. </p></li><li><p>River stones may heat the surrounding soil to inhospitable temperatures. </p></li><li><p>Rocks can block rainwater from seeping into the ground if installations are too thick or tightly packed.</p></li></ul><p>Most downsides occur when using river rock as mulch in gardens and flower beds. However, you can still incorporate river rocks into your landscape as long as you use them in the correct ways.</p></div>

Q: How often should you top up a gravel driveway?

• <div><p>Top up your gravel driveway whenever water starts to pool in areas. This is bound to happen over time. You can be proactive and top up your driveway at the start of the warm season, and then check on it throughout the summer, particularly after heavy rainfall. Every few years, you should consider installing a new, clean layer of gravel&mdash;and that&rsquo;s a good opportunity to install a layer of landscaping fabric before doing so. </p></div>

Q: What soil do you use for edible plants?

• <div><p>Generally, you want the soil for your edible plants to have good drainage, organic matter for nutrients, a loose texture (like loam soil), and a balanced pH level. However, the type of plants you're growing will dictate the exact characteristics your soil needs to thrive. For example, brussels sprout prefers more acidic soil, while broccoli prefers more alkaline soil. </p></div>

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your mulch and topsoil service project in Harpswell, ME?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Mulch And Topsoil Service pros in Harpswell, ME

*The Angi rating for Mulch And Topsoil Service companies in Harpswell, ME is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Mulch And Topsoil Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Mulch And Topsoil Service companies in Harpswell, ME is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Mulch And Topsoil Service needs.

Last update on November 16, 2025

Reviewed in December 2023
Garrett was very nice to work with very professional has a ton of experience I hired him for some mulching on the side of the house to clean up the woods some and it came out perfect I would 100% hire him again and highly recommend to anyone needing to get some work done around the house or...
Garrett R Gerard Construction
Request a quote
Reviewed in May 2021
John responded quickly to my request for a quote. We just purchased a home in East Waterboro and looked online for a spring clean up and mowing. John came out and walked the property with me. He went over all the details. We discussed a full clean up. Including: blowing back leaves, edging,...
John's Lawns
Request a quote
Reviewed in August 2019
Prompt reply to inquiry about service; Excellent work giving landscape advice and in services provided; Excellent work crew hard-working; knowledgeable; polite; cleaned up after work finished, including sweeping of sidewalks and garage floor: Reasonable prices; dependable; They did an excellent...
Brewers Property Services
Request a quote
Reviewed in May 2018
I whole-heartedly recommend Remy Landscaping. We've hired them all week to landscape the front and back yard for our property before it's photographed for sale, they've been here 3 full days in the past two weeks to: clear our 1/2 acre back yard of tree/branch/leaf debris weedwack weeds spread...
Remy Landscaping LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in May 2015
I first met Nathan, the owner of Absolutely Complete Property Services when he came to do the estimate. During the estimate it was easy to see his incredible attention to detail. While he wasn't the cheapest estimate I received, I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for, so I chose...
Absolutely Complete Property Services LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2014
What a nightmare. Matt was fast to return my inquiry and came by quickly to view the job but slow getting us a quote, even though I was clear from first contact that I I desperately wanted this done ASAP... He told me, on July 26, that he could do it in 2-3 weeks. I said, lets do it, but...
Prime Cut Landscaping and Lawn Care
Request a quote
Reviewed in March 2013
I WISH I COULD GIVE A GRADE HIGHER THAN A. A+++++ I needed a yard care team to spread mulch and wood chips and do some general clean up for a Saturday event at my home. I called on Wednesday, their team was here Friday. On Thursday I called in a slight panic because my VA wood chip supplier...
Kuhlman Lawn Service
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2006
They were very punctual which is about all I could expect from their service. The mulch is very high quality mulch and they did spread it in the area I needed it in. I like the particular way they made sure they were right on time.
UPSTATE MULCH INC
Request a quote
Reviewed in May 2004
I RECEIVED A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR THIS COMPANY SO I DECIDED TO USE THEM (INSTEAD OF THE COMPANY I HAD USED PREVIOUSLY) FOR A SPRING CLEAN UP. THE OWNER CAME OUT IN THE FALL AND WE REVIEWED WHAT I WANTED DONE. HE SAID IT WOULD BE DONE AROUND APRIL FIRST AND I WOULDN'T HAVE TO CALL TO REMIND HIM....
Kelty Lawn Care
Request a quote
Reviewed in May 2004
DID SPRING CLEAN UP AND MULCHED ALL OUR GARDEN BEDS. ANSWERED CALLS VERY PROMPTLY AND SHOWED UP THE NEXT DAY TO COMPLETE THE WORK BEAUTIFULLY. I'LL CALL THEM, AGAIN, NEXT YEAR.
Garden Green Landscaping
Request a quote

Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Harpswell, ME

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your mulch and topsoil service project in Harpswell, ME?

Landscape Yard or Garden Installation

Gravel or Loose Fill Paving Install, Spread or Scrape

Landscape Soil, Sand, Mulch and Rock Delivery

Verified Reviews for Mulch And Topsoil Service pros in Harpswell, ME

Find Mulch and topsoil pros in Harpswell

River View Construction Co.

River View Construction Co.

Campos Landscaping LLC

Campos Landscaping LLC

Precision Property Maintenance LLC

Precision Property Maintenance LLC

StoneX Construction

StoneX Construction

Farris Lawn Care LLC

Farris Lawn Care LLC

Alpha Landscaping

Alpha Landscaping

Southern Maine Yard Pro

Southern Maine Yard Pro

Bailey's Property / Hydro Seeding Services

Bailey's Property / Hydro Seeding Services

Logan's Landscaping

Logan's Landscaping

KF BUILDERS & CONTRACTING

KF BUILDERS & CONTRACTING

The Harpswell, ME homeowners’ guide to mulch and topsoil services

How Much Does Fill Dirt Cost? [2025 Data]

How Much Does Forestry Mulching Cost? [2025 Data]

How Much Does Mulch Delivery and Installation Cost? [2025 Data]

What’s the Difference Between Black Mulch and Brown Mulch?​

How Many Bags of Mulch Do I Need?

Topsoil Calculator: How Much Topsoil Do I Need?

Find Mulch and topsoil service Pros in other cities near youNot finding what you are looking for in Harpswell? Check surrounding areas for Mulch and topsoil pros.

Which Mulch and topsoil service task are you tackling?Find Harpswell Mulch and topsoil services on Angi who specialize in any of these tasks

What’s the Difference Between Black Mulch and Brown Mulch?