Mulch is used in landscaping to keep weeds down and hold moisture. Mulch helps to keep soil cool for perennials and all plants. Some perennials tolerate decorative rock, but many only thrive in mulch. Trees and most shrubs love mulch, but  rock is ok. With mulch, you can add a new color or type to change the look from year to year.  The downside of mulch is it needs to be regularly replenished. In a windy area with few trees, this happens more often than an established neighborhood. Weeds are everyone’s concern in a landscape.  We share the view of most professionals that weed barrier/ fabric is not a good idea under mulch.  With rock you can choose to install fabric or 6 mil poly under the product. Rock does not break down and become dirt like mulch laid 4 years ago. With mulch, you often add a new layer annually. The old mulch will become dirt.  If that dirt is lying on the fabric, the weeds that want to grow will root into the fabric and create a mess.  It is best to attack weed growth not with a weed barrier but by keeping weed seeds from germinating. We use Preen. (weed seed germination prevention agent) You can simply apply Preen twice a year then going forward.  The few weeds that germinate can be controlled by carefully using a herbicide like Round-up or by pulling them by Hand. There are two different types of mulch.  The Cypress and Cedar mulch are the longest-lasting. They are more expensive as they are the product of trees grown far from Minnesota.  But they last the longest as they naturally repel water. The 2nd type of Mulch is any dyed product as listed below. This mulch is either made of a tree that fell in a storm locally or an old wood pallet. The wood for this mulch isn’t naturally water repellent and is often pine or hardwood like oak. But it is sourced locally.   All mulch fades with exposure to the sun. A quick rake of older mulch to turn it over helps to get a better look.