Rubber mulch how long does it last

Rubber mulch is made from used rubber tyres which have had the steel bands removed and are shredded into pellets, or crumb, of various sizes. Magnets are used to try to remove all the leftover bits of metal that could cause injury, after which colours can be added to the shredded rubber to give it a better appearance.

It is fast becoming a popular playground surface mostly because rubber is naturally a great shock absorber. It is also used for covering sports surfaces like equestrian centres, artificial football pitches and even for landscaping purposes. The heat it soaks up from the sun can even kill the plants it is meant to be protecting.

Not ideal. Rubber mulch does not provide essential nutrients which enrich the soil like a natural alternative like wood mulch does as it decomposes. It is still not known if there are health implications associated with exposure to shredded rubber. The dust it creates as it breaks down can be inhaled. This key benefit to investing in rubber mulch outweighs its other benefits, especially if you are worrying about the high cost of gardening materials and maintenance.

October 21, Read More. June 24, May 13, Playground Rubber Mulch Borders Tiles. It is a great alternative if you are wanting to be more sustainable. There are also a lot of benefits of using rubber mulch that could lead to a more flourishing garden.

Since rubber is not absorbent, it allows for the soil to collect more of the water instead of the wood mulch soaking in the water before it can reach the plant roots. This leads to your plants having a more accessible water source, which enhances growth and liveliness. It also has the same effect with fertilizer, allowing for it to sink into the soil more easily. Rubber mulch impacts the growth of invasive plants such as weeds and fungus.

The rubber acts as a weed barrier to invasive plant seeds and stops them from reaching the soil. This can save you a lot of time by not having to pull weeds and use sprays to keep unwanted plants from growing. Rubber mulch also requires very little maintenance. Along with having fewer weeds to worry about, it can also stand storms much better than wood mulch. It lasts much longer than wood mulch and does not need to be replaced as often.

Preventing bugs like these can aid in protecting your flowers and plants from being poisoned or eaten. There are a lot of pros that come with purchasing rubber mulch, however, there are some aspects to be aware of when switching over:.