What's a cheap alternative to wood chips in flower gardens?

I had a termite guy inspect our home before we bought it this last fall and he said we have no termites now but that by having the perimeter of the house line with wood chips (there is a continuous flower garden around the house coming out about 2 feet from the base of the house) I was setting myself up for failure. Should I use a khaki colored gravel? What else can I use that is economical....because I have A LOT of ground to cover with it. Thanks!

What's a cheap alternative to wood chips in flower gardens?
Cedar chips. Termites don`t eat cedar and they don`t float so when you get a heavy rain fall, they won`t float away.
Reply:You can buy a pick up load of hardwood mulch for about $35.00.





Now, if you blend in dichotomous earth, your termite and other exo-skeleton pest problems will be reduced. Boric Acid is another dry powder that works, but it will be useless once it is wet. Both of these products are cheap, easy to use, and won't harm environment.





The benefits of composting mulch is not only to landscape, but keeping foundation moist.





If you REALLY have termites, always address the issue.
Reply:Have you thought of buying a mulcher/shredder or setting up a compost pile or bin?


If you have a big garden, you will have lots of leaves, dead flowers etc., add these to shredded branches when you prune. Add table scraps, some fertilizer, newspapers, etc., Lots of scraps from the home and garden are suitable for your own FREE compost heap. The shredder will pay for itself in no time, then your mulch is free. Pea hay or straw are also good mulch and not too expensive where I am from. Also try a worm farm, if you have kids, they will be fascinated but more importantly, the liquid is free fertilizer and if they become too overpopulated, throw the extra worms into the garden. Hey presto! after a small initial investment - FREE garden from then on.
Reply:Some garden shops are starting to sell recycled rubber. I know it sounds crazy, but some of the schools around my house are using it for their playgrounds. It works like mulch, kinda, and it lasts a lot longer. Now it comes in a reddish color that looks like real mulch.


Looks the same and almost no up keep.
Reply:I noticed at Costco they had bags of "Rubber Mulch"





http://www.curbappealmaterials.com/mulch...
Reply:really small sized gravel is the best choice. Moneywise,,do a section at a time. Emphasize quality and not quantity.





Rubber mulch is as dumd as h--l ! At least a rock is natural.
Reply:This is the first time I've heard of wood chips attracting termites. I know of communities that ban them because of increased fire hazard. I also had a friend in Virginia with a concrete apron around the entire perimeter and a severe termite problem. The termite control company told him they would have to tent the house and remove the concrete to guarantee the work. Get a second opinion from a neutral source, your County Agent. RScott
Reply:I don't know where you live but I live in Florida and have an abundance of oak trees and use those leaves as mulch in our flower beds. Oak leaves are so effective that when we bag the tons we don't need for mulch and put them out for the refuse people to haul away, it never fails that someone will drive by and pick them all for their use.