Not a good idea. The marble will increase the alkalinity of the soil and not be good at all for the plants. Use river rock or lava rock which are neutral in terms of pH.

OK, I am confused. Now I am not even sure it's marble. I didn't buy it, I sort of inherited it. Some pieces look like marble some like granite. Could somebody tell me what is it?
And if it's marble does it matter that it was dumped outside for some time and washed by rain?
Maria


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Yes, those are marble chips.

To me rocks are not mulch. Mulch is something that breaks down and enriches the soil. Rocks are decorative amendments. They're really nice in the right setting but I think calling them mulch is a misnomer.

Yes they are marble mine are different shades also, even mauve in them, just love them, of course it's not mulch, but it is a bedding cover, and much prefered in FL. if you go for mulch, you can expect to re-mulch once a yr. possibly, we got enough work, in this FL. heat, I'll stick with my marble stones....

rocks used as mulch are called lithic mulch. there's a long history of its use, particularly in very poor growing conditions (think -- tropical volcanic islands -- eg easter island). it provides cover for germination and roots, and the wash from the rocks also provides essential nutrients.

Maria, by now you must really be confuse. My answer is this:
I would not use any kind of mulch right next to the house due to the danger of termite. Everywhere else I would use mulch. Not cypress but anything else specially pine needles. I am happy when they decompose and I need to replace it. That means that my soil is being improve. I am planning on a cactus bed.
I will be using river rocks because I do not want my soil to change its pH level. Some plants not only like acid soil but will die if not planted in the right pH level. Blueberries is one example.
So maria, if you do not mind that the soil will become more alkaline go ahead and use the marble. These statements are base on science not on opinions. We are here to try to help each other. I for one, want to make sure that I thank you all for your time and expertise and knowledge that you contribute to me.
Felix

Thanks, everybody.
I did some research and it looks like vinca and jasmine will tolerate alkaline soil and hibiscus will not. So I am going to put marble under vinca and jasmine for start and see how they are doing.
Here is another q. about mulch. Not long ago I made a new flower bed and was going to put rubber mulch there. I thought something like that: I will save a cypress tree or two and help to recycle used tires. The price stoped me - it was much more expensive than cypress mulch. Then I red article how bad this stuff is for your garden. So what is rubber mulch - a way to pollute your garden or a way to save trees?
Maria

Maria, rubber will not put back into the soil any nutrients.
As you said a way to pollute.As I said before my favorite is
pine needles. No cutting of trees there.
Felix

i have started to use a mix -- trash mulch from the utility company (free and ecologically very positive), with a layer of pine needles over the top. it's working great so far... the best of all worlds.