You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
T,
I found the rubber mulch at Sam's and took a chance with it. I used it in an area where there will be "no Growing" to cover a mud area-wide pathway to get to my potting shed.
I love it, it works and what I bought has no ordor. It has saved me countless hours cleaning up my garden clogs etc.
The problem is, I need 4 more bags and Sam's is now sold out in my area.
It works for me but I wouldn't use it in and around my garden.
I am seeing this product being used under playground equipment ...cushions the little tykes' falls quite nicely!! I think it would be great for jogging tracks, pathways, etc. and it certainly keeps all those smelly tires out of the landfills and from being piled up somewhere where they can catch on fire and burn for years!! I am a bit worried about using it in a garden setting, though. I imagine it gets very hot in the sun (like your tires do on a summer day!!) and could burn delicate plants, and we have no idea what it leaches into the soil, do we?
Sandy
Our University of Florida IFAS Extension office in Brevard County, FL doesn't recommend it. The leaching of zinc for one thing and difficulty in getting concise information from the manufacturers regarding what exactly is in that rubber mulch (apart from the wires). Perhaps just using it in a path area might be OK. I don't think it should ever be applied in a children's playground area until more is known about it (remember the treated wood that was used in children's playgrounds years ago ?).
Can rubber mulch be used around spring bulbs (Tulips, Daffodils, etc.). What about perennials that die back in winter and emerge in spring? Will the plants be able to penetrate the mulch next year?In other words, If I put it around my blooming flowers now and it suppresses the weeds will it also suppress my flowers when they attempt to emerge next spring?
