Question
Hi, we have decorative red shale rock around base of our huge evergreen tree, and among our shrubs/tree areas...which I used to love but over the years it's become an eyesore, full of pine needles, pine cones, leaves and deteriorating shale...so it looks messy.  What should I do?  Do I need to buy new shale and pour on top of this old stuff or use a sieve to clean it (that will take hours!) Or remove it all and put wood chips instead?
Appreciate your thoughts. thanks Lori

Answer
This is really a question of time an money. If you want to re-use the rock you have to take the time to make a sieve or wash all the rock to get out the old dirt and weed seeds. Digging it out, cleaning it one way or another and then putting it back. Verses buying new rock. However keep in mind, unless you plan to top the old rock with the new you still have to dig it out and place new rock so except for the part about cleaning the rock, there is little difference in time. Plus there is the cost of gas and time to go get the new rock and the cost of materials. This is really not something I can decide for you. Placing wood chips would work to but again you either cover over the old rock (leaving it to potentially come back through the mulch in a few months or years) or dig out the old rock first.  As for any question of weather or not wood chips over rock creates any problems, no, not that I am aware of.

My suggestion is to dig out the old rock place it in a wheel barrel, dump in your driveway, rake and wash it, then place it back. Make sure you have enough rock to achieve a suitable cover that inhibits weeds. This is 3 inches minimum.

Good Luck
Sean Murphy