[PTY Sparky]

Would appreciate anyone's comments pro or con on using rubber mulch for landscaping. Need the good, the bad and the ugly.

[Happydaz]

I like to have natural landscaping so I have a bias for mulches that break down and add humus to the soil. I personally like pine straw. I can move it aside and plant new plants and then tuck it back around the plants. On the other hand, rubber mulches can be colorful and add some nice contrast to your shrub borders. I haven't ever used a rubber mulch as I am constantly planting new plants and I don't want to mix rock or rubber mulch with the soil. I have observed my neighbors who have rock mulch. When they want to add a plant they first have to push all these rocks out of the way to get down to the landscape fabric. Then they have to cut a hole in the fabric and put the plant in. Then they have to pile all the rocks back around the plant. But you may just be a plant once person and that won't be a factor. Good luck in your landscaping!

[John_W]

The biggest problem with rubber mulch is when it rains it will float away into the yard.



It would probably be good to use on playgrounds around swings and jungle gyms.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by PTY Sparky

Would appreciate anyone's comments pro or con on using rubber mulch for landscaping. Need the good, the bad and the ugly.

I am a gardener so I don't use rubber mulch, but many of my neighbors have it and it works great for them. The soil in Florida is very poor, so I use a fine pine bark mulch which breaks down throughout the year adding nutrients to the soil. I also use oak leaves (when I can get them) and anything else that will break down naturally into the soil. My garden is pretty well established, through trial and error I have found out what works for me, so it is pretty much self sustaining now. I do, however, have several large pots and I change out the plants in them to whatever I see and like.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by PTY Sparky

Would appreciate anyone's comments pro or con on using rubber mulch for landscaping. Need the good, the bad and the ugly.

There really isn't much good you can say about rubber mulch. I even hesitate to call it a "mulch."
It is expensive and obviously doesn't break down to add anything to the soil.

You didn't ask, but stones don't add anything either, but will "bake" your plants in the summer sun.

Mulch does break down over time and environmentally, is the best thing you can use.
My preference is cypress mulch.
It stays in place during the rains and insects don't like it -- a real plus!

[kaydee]

I have rubber mulch ( not shredded or small pieces). Purchased at a facility in Fruitland Park on 441. This has been down for 5 yrs... NONE of it has ever floated away. We have been very happy with it.

[HappyVillager]

Home Depot has a beautiful rubber mulch for $5.95 per bag (0.8cubic feet). Does anyone know if the place in Fruitland Park (or anywhere else close by) has it cheaper. Southern Aggregate is closed today and I wanted to get it tonight to put down tomorrow.

[e-flyer]

There is a guy who sells 2 cu ft. bags at Marion Markets on the weekends. He delivers also for free when he have several delivers to TV. Browns on 441 near The Village Movers and 466a sells rubber mulch in bulk.

[rdhdleo]

We have a huge corner lots and most of all our islands and borders are covered with river rock and people are right, it loos nice lasts but is a pain when you want to change or add plants. BTW our plants have all done well with it. Now in our back we did the landscaping ourselves and used rubber mulch and love it, It does not wash away ever and lasts and is easy to work with when planting. Plus the rubber mulch is made from recycled rubber which also helps the environment. It looks very natural, at least ours does. and bugs don't seem to like it much Our plants are thriving !

[kittygilchrist]

Cons: it's ugly, it stinks, contributes nothing organically to soil.

Pros: it gets a few tires out of the dump

Con: want your yard to look like a recycled dump?

[nitehawk]

I have had it for years ---- Love it

[kissmelatr]

I hate it. Removed all mine. Its ugly and when you cut grass you try and blow the clippings off the mulch goes with it. Absolutely hate it.....

[asianthree]

keeps its color, but if you weed you loose mulch each time

[rdhdleo]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Cons: it's ugly, it stinks, it has contributes nothing organically to soil.

Pros: it gets a few tires out of the dump

Con: want your yard to look like a recycled dump?

I beg to differ, our gardens and yard are as far from looking like a recycled dump! Thank you! And There has NEVER been a smell!

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by rdhdleo

I beg to differ, our gardens and yard are as far from looking like a recycled dump! Thank you! And There has NEVER been a smell!

didn't mean to imply anything about your yard. have never seen it, so how could I?
Rubber mulch rubs me the wrong way | Garden Professors[/url

url=[http://puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/Rubber%20mulch.pdf