Rock Vs. Mulch – Which Should I Choose?

Rock Vs Mulch – Which Should I Choose?

Small trees in landscaping in Sioux Falls, SD by Weller Brothers Landscaping

As with any house project, there are many decisions to make when landscaping your home. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed.

One of the most common questions the Weller Brothers team gets from Midwest homeowners is whether they should use rock or mulch around their plant beds, foundation, and trees.

We’ll break down the pros and cons of each so you can make the right choice considering your style, budget, and maintenance preferences.

Rock Pros and Cons

Pros of Rock

Longer lasting – compared to mulch, which decomposes and needs to be replaced.
Low-maintenance – once installed, there is minimal upkeep as they don’t need to be refreshed annually, and they don’t blow away in the wind.
Drainage benefits – rocks allow water to flow through quickly, reducing the risk of standing water around your foundation or plant beds.
Fire-resistant – during a dry season or wildfire-prone area, rock doesn’t contribute to the spread of flames like mulch does. While this is not as much of a concern in the Weller Brothers service areas, it’s still a consideration.

Cons of Rock

Higher upfront cost – due to material and labor costs, it typically costs more upfront to install rock than mulch.
Retain heat, which can stress plants – especially in full sun, rock absorbs and radiates heat, which can stress plants and dry the soil out faster.
Difficult to change later – if you want to update the look or switch to mulch later, it’ll take significantly more labor and cost to remove rock than mulch.
Needs proper underlayment to prevent weed growth – weeds can grow through the rocks over time. Without landscape fabric underneath, you may still need to pull or spray weeds.

“Rock is simple if you don’t want to maintain each year, but I love the natural look of mulch.”

– Cam Meyer, Sales Director

Mulch Pros and Cons

Pros of Mulch

Adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down – mulch is an organic matter, so it adds nutrients to the soil over time. This supports healthier plant growth.
Helps retain soil moisture – especially beneficial during dry stretches, mulch reduces water evaporation from the soil, which helps your plants stay dry between waterings.
Insulates plant roots – the temperature regulation provided by mulch can protect sensitive plants throughout the varying seasons. In the Midwest, we especially know how the temperature can fluctuate!
Lower upfront cost – if you want a fresh look on a budget or are still experimenting with your landscaping, mulch costs far less to install than rock.

Cons of Mulch

Needs to be refreshed annually – due to the organic nature, you need to replenish the mulch each spring.
Can wash away in heavy rain – to maintain a tidy appearance, you may need to rake or reapply mulch as needed.
Can attract some pests – pests like termites, ants, or earwigs are attracted to mulch. However, with proper installation and a high-quality mulch, you can minimize this risk.

“If you have a dog, rock is a great idea to prevent a mess. But, mulch is better for the plants.”

– Allie Rea, Account Manager

Rock Vs. Mulch Key Takeaways

Rock is a longer-term investment with minimal upkeep, but mulch is better for plant health and soil improvement.
Consider the look, function, and how often you’re willing to refresh or maintain the area.

There is no “right” answer when it comes to rock vs. mulch, but our landscaping team in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, or Des Moines, IA, can help you decide what the right fit is for your space, budget, and preferences.

Let us know if we can help!

Is Professional Landscape Design Worth the Cost?

Wes Busch of Weller Brothers Landscaping reads a landscape plan on the job site

Is Professional Landscape Design Worth the Cost?

Spoiler alert – yes.

Did you know that poor landscaping can be detrimental to your home’s value?

While quality landscaping can increase the value of your Midwest home by up to 15%, poor landscaping can even decrease your home’s value by up to 10%, according to a 2021 U.S. realtor study.

If you’re considering a landscape improvement in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, or Des Moines, IA, consider this.

The Return on Investment of Professional Landscape Design

We get it. It may seem tempting, cheaper, or even easier to do it yourself.

But, there are several compelling reasons why professional landscape design is worth the cost compared to DIY landscaping, especially when it comes to long-term value, functionality, and avoiding costly mistakes.

Proper Grading and Drainage

There’s nothing worse than dealing with foundation issues, structural damage, or basement flooding. Not only are these financial headaches, but these issues can significantly impact your home’s value.

What a Weller Brothers landscape designer does:

Our team knows how to ensure proper slope, drainage swales, and runoff management. This will protect your home and your hardscape investment.

Correct Plant Selection and Placement

Sadly, our ISA-certified arborists often must remove trees that are in poor health. Many times, this is because they were improperly planted by a DIY’er.

Like trees, all softscapes can fail prematurely if they are not suited for the environment or even for the specific location in your yard. That means you’ll likely end up paying for replacements.

What a Weller Brothers landscape designer does:

A designer chooses plant material that will thrive in your local conditions and considers size, seasonal interest, and long-term maintenance needs.

Integrated Design That Adds Value

Landscape design requires math and engineering, horticulture knowledge, and a strong understanding of design principles.

Very few homeowners have all of this. (If they do, they should be a landscape designer!) That’s what DIY landscaping is often piecemeal — a new bed here, some pavers there — but it doesn’t always result in a cohesive, high-end look.

What a Weller Brothers landscape designer does:

A professional design integrates hardscapes, plantings, lighting, and structures into one thoughtful plan that boosts curb appeal, function and lifestyle, and resale value.

Knowledge of Local Codes and Permits

This is boring, but it’s so very important.

Some features – like retaining walls, fences, or pools – require permits or must meet local zoning requirements. You can try to navigate this yourself if you have the time and the desire, or you can avoid fines or forced removals by hiring a professional.

This is boring, but it’s so very important.

Some features – like retaining walls, fences, or pools – require permits or must meet local zoning requirements. You can try to navigate this yourself if you have the time and the desire, or you can avoid fines or forced removals by hiring a professional.

Access to High-Quality Materials and Trades

Homeowners flock to big-box store options for their landscaping projects, which typically sell limited and lower-quality selections.

What a Weller Brothers landscape designer does:

Our team has access to wholesale nurseries, premium materials, and vetted installation partners to ensure a higher-end, longer-lasting result.

For example:

We partner with Legacy Trees to receive proper tree-planting training.
Our landscape crews follow ICPI Concrete Paver Installer standards, which indicates a commitment to quality and adherence to industry standards when installing paver projects.
Our teams have professional relationships with trusted vendors in our markets, such as Arborwise in Rochester, MN, Parklane Pool Co. in Sioux Falls, or Alair Homes in Des Moines. That means we know exactly who to call upon when we need the best of the best to support your landscaping project goals.

Future-Proofing and Phased Planning

Many homeowners plan to phase their landscaping project; maybe that’s a new patio this year, and adding on the outdoor kitchen next summer.

Without proper foresight and planning, future additions may conflict with what you’ve already built.

What a Weller Brothers landscape designer does:

Our designers can develop a master plan that can be installed in phases, ensuring everything works together long-term, including irrigation, lighting, and future hardscapes or features. Again, this saves you money and headaches in the long run!

Do It Right Once . . . Or Do It Twice

Now that you’ve considered the pros and cons of DIY landscaping, it’s time to schedule your consultation with a real professional.

We have award-winning landscape designers throughout the Midwest in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, and Des Moines, IA. Reach out today to tell us how we can help!

Des Moines Rochester Sioux Falls

Does Landscaping Increase Home Value? How Much?

front residential walkway with updated pavers and plants

Does Landscaping Increase Home Value? How Much?

Our landscape design team – whether in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, or Des Moines, IA – often fields questions about how landscaping impacts your home’s value.

After all, quality landscaping isn’t cheap. We understand why you want to understand your potential return on investment.

Here are some of the questions we frequently answer from homeowners who are considering a landscaping project.

Does Landscaping Increase Home Value — and By How Much?

Landscaping is just like any other home improvement project; if it’s done poorly, it can hurt your home’s value. If it’s done well, it will add value to your home:

Quality landscaping can increase your home’s value by up to 15% compared to the other homes on your street, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Not only that, but a 2021 U.S. realtor study found that poor landscaping can even decrease your home’s value by 10%. In Iowa, for example, that’s a median decrease of $133,000. Yikes!

How Does Landscaping Affect Property Value In My Neighborhood?

It’s considerate to think beyond just your own home, especially if you like your neighbors!

One of our Weller Brothers designers recently shared an anecdote from our client. After updating his landscaping, his neighbor thanked him for investing in his outdoor space. Why? Because when an entire neighborhood boasts professionally landscaped yards, it benefits everyone’s home value!

Aside from the obvious curb appeal, professional landscaping has several other effects on a neighborhood that you may not have thought of:

Tree-lined streets can increase home values by up to 30%. [source]
Landscaping and vegetation are associated with lower crime rates in an area. [source]
Green infrastructure, like stormwater management and street trees, brings environmental benefits and can uplift home prices by several percentage points when evaluating home values. [source]

Should I Install Lansdcaping Before Selling My Home?

When you’re putting your home on the market, you might consider some landscaping upgrades to capture immediate curb appeal and maximize your home’s value.

According to multiple studies, well-executed landscaping can add 5-15% to your home’s resale value — and in many cases, it helps your home sell faster, too.

Here are the landscaping enhancements that we recommend prioritizing when selling a home in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, or Des Moines, IA.

Low-maintenance curb appeal – buyers want your home to be move-in ready, so don’t leave them with a weekend project. Hire your local Weller Brothers team to trim overgrown shrubs, add fresh mulch or rock, edge garden beds, and power wash hard surfaces.
A healthy lawn – if you haven’t given your lawn the TLC it deserves, now is the time! Depending on the season, consider aeration, fertilization, or sod repair from the professionals.
Defined walkways and entrances – maintained walkways provide the illusion of care and safety. Hire a professional team to replace dated pavers or add soft lighting along the walkway.
Update plantings and softscapes – mature, healthy shrubs frame the home and create a polished look. A professional Weller Brothers horticulture team can replace overgrown bushes with well-spaced, attractive plants that are suitable for our hardiness zone.

Now is not the time to install a high-maintenance garden bed or a niche exotic fountain design. For a last-minute landscaping ROI, choose classic, easy options that people can see themselves living with.

Weller Brothers Can Help Maximize Your Home's Value

Our team of experienced, award-winning landscape designers would love to help you increase your home’s value with quality, professional landscape design. If you’re in the Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, or Des Moines, IA, areas, give us a shout to get started!

Des Moines Rochester Sioux Falls

Built for the View: A Riverside Retreat in Yankton

a backyard pool deck overlooks the missouri river

This Yankton landscape project transformed a steep, blank yard into a stunning poolside retreat with native plants, engineered retaining walls, and uninterrupted views of the Missouri River.

Des Moines Rochester Sioux Falls

Pickleball and Purington Pavers

child playing pickleball in the backyard of a home

Pickleball and Purington Pavers

Design by

Chad Kasten

When our clients came to us, they had a backyard full of potential but faced a significant challenge — an existing slope that made the space feel disconnected and underutilized.

They envisioned a retreat where the entire family could spend time together, with dedicated areas for both relaxation and play.

Creating Multi-Level Functionality

To maximize the space, we designed a series of intentional levels, turning the slope into an asset rather than a limitation. A boulder wall and natural stone steps support a paver patio, creating a comfortable gathering space for the adults.

Just a few steps down, the backyard opens up to a sports court, giving the kids a place to shoot hoops or play a game of pickleball.

Blending Modern and Rustic Elements

This project balances modern convenience with rustic charm. A sleek aluminum pergola provides shade over the patio while keeping maintenance to a minimum. At the same time, we incorporated Purington pavers — historic bricks once used for roads across the U.S. — to bring a unique, time-worn character to the space.

The Perfect Evening Gathering Spot

A gas firepit anchors the patio, offering a cozy place to unwind while keeping an eye on the action on the court. To complete the space, our furniture consultant worked with the client to select custom outdoor furniture, ensuring the style and fabric fit both their aesthetic and lifestyle.

With thoughtful design and creative solutions, this backyard now offers something for everyone — a stylish and comfortable retreat for the adults and a dynamic play space for the kids. What started as a sloped, underutilized yard is now a multi-functional escape built for years of family memories.

Designed

the Weller Brothers Way.

View More Tours

Built for the View: A Riverside Retreat in Yankton

Play, Lounge, Relax: A Backyard Reimagined

A Walkway Worth the Welcome

A Low-Maintenance and Accessible Outdoor Retreat

Short Game Goals and Cozy Nights

From “Very Plain Slab” to “Above and Beyond”

Des Moines Rochester Sioux Falls

Play, Lounge, Relax: A Backyard Reimagined

Two women clink glasses while relaxing by a backyard pool, with an outdoor fireplace and lush greenery in the background.

Play, Lounge, Relax: A Backyard Reimagined

Design by

Cole Jenkins

When our clients first approached us, their backyard had plenty of potential but was beginning to show its age. The space featured a dated patio and terrace, but it was underutilized and lacked the amenities our clients envisioned.

They wanted to incorporate a pool, a fireplace, and evening-use features — all while maintaining the existing retaining walls and addressing concerns about stray golf balls from the nearby course.

A luxurious backyard pool area features a small in-ground pool surrounded by stone and tile. Two women sit at the pool’s edge with their feet in the water, while two children swim nearby. A cascading water feature adds movement to the pool. In the background, a woman plays with a dog on a lush green lawn, and another woman sits near a large outdoor fireplace, where a man is also seated. The landscaping includes potted flowers, manicured shrubs, and a stone retaining wall, creating a cozy and elegant outdoor gathering space.

Designing a Multi-Functional Space

Our first challenge was to determine the ideal pool size.

With a smaller backyard than typical for pool projects, we had to balance the size of the pool with the client’s needs for swimming, lounging, play areas, and social spaces. We scaled down the pool, maximizing the available space while accommodating the variety of features our clients requested.

For the pool deck and patio, we chose a durable, cool-to-the-touch porcelain tile from Belgard. The material required importing due to supply chain shortages at the time, but it was worth the effort for its aesthetic appeal and functionality.

For the hardscape, we used elements from TechoBloc and Rochester Concrete Products to ensure a cohesive design with lasting durability.

One significant design consideration was the golf ball issue. We strategically angled the fireplace and planted trees along the fence line to provide protection while maintaining the aesthetic flow of the space. To help bring the vision to life, we partnered with AAA Pools & Construction for the pool and water features and Walter Ree Masonry for the stone and masonry work.

A Backyard That Works for the Family

Vibrant purple and green allium flowers bloom in the foreground, with a blurred view of a poolside lounge area in the background.

custom masonry outdoor fireplace in sioux falls south dakota

A young boy embraces his smiling younger sister as they play under a cascading water feature in a backyard pool.

a close up image of water bowls alongside a pool

The finished project blends the old and new seamlessly. The backyard now features multiple lounge areas, a green play space for the grandchildren, and a variety of social spaces perfect for family gatherings and evening relaxation.

One of the standout features is the “invisible” drain, cleverly concealed beneath the pool deck and topped with polished black pebbles. We also added a unique log starter in the fireplace and spillway bowls that cascade water into the pool, adding both beauty and functionality.

Our clients were thrilled with the result. They now have a backyard that is both visually stunning and highly functional, providing a perfect setting for creating lasting memories.

For anyone tackling a similar project, it’s a reminder that with careful planning and creative design, even a smaller space can become a dynamic, multifunctional retreat.

Designed