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Colored mulch can be bad for plants in that it robs them of nitrogen as it depletes the soil to break itself down. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to test your soil to check the nitrogen levels. If the nitrogen levels are low, use fertilizer with extra nitrogen or switch to regular mulch.

Another downside of colored mulch is if it’s heavily contaminated, it can contaminate the soil and damage your plants. To avoid this, look for the MSC certification logo on the mulch bag before purchasing.

Because gravel moves, it requires different maintenance than asphalt or concrete. Here are a few maintenance tips for your gravel driveway. Every few years (or as often as needed):

• Grade and level your driveway

• Rake to fill holes and ruts

• Compact any refilled potholes

• Remove weeds with herbicide or by hand

• Spray it with water to reduce the amount of dust kicked up

• Avoid using a snowplow during winter months

While you can put gravel directly on dirt, it won’t be very stable. It also won’t block out any weeds. Most experts recommend layering weed barrier and a layer of packed sand or other foundation material to prevent the gravel from sinking into the earth and being overtaken by weeds.

Hardscaping often requires preparation of the ground in the area where the feature is being installed. This can include digging, compacting, and leveling the soil, ensuring adequate drainage, and removing any existing plants. The extent of preparation needed will depend on the type and size of the hardscaping feature being installed.