Mulch: Anything placed on the surface of the soil to retain moisture and prevent weeds. Mulch does NOT have to be made from wood or bark; and although heavily marketed, such mulches are very problematic. Compost, shredded leaves, pine straw and seed and hull mulches (pecan, cocoa shell, etc.) are vastly superior to wood, bark and root mulches. Don't use rubber mulch-it stinks in the summer and I have concerns over the chemicals used in the production of the tires that are chipped up to
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make this stuff. (See this PREVIOUS QUESTION OF THE WEEK for more details on mulches and mulching.)
What I've heard on Mike McGrath's radio show is that rubber mulch is toxic for your plants, very probably has bad effects on your own health, and is prone to spontaneous combustion (catching on fire by itself). Thus, a very bad choice. Wood chips can promote the growth of fungus that can cause black spots on anything nearby, and can have an adverse effect on your garden as it breaks down. One thing he recommends is good is coconut mulch. Also, for most plants, a layer of shredded
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leaves. Best bet is to go to a trustworthy independent nursery as ask for advice.
I put down rubber mulch last summer. It still looks like new=no new work or expense this year. I have azaleas in that flower bed. They are fine with it. Bloomed beautifully this spring. I do have to water with Miracle Grow for Azaleas or acid fertilizer but that is not a problelm. Being 72 and somewhat disabled, I just like the once and I'm done for years to come.
I prefer dark hardwood mulch over anything else on the market. Rubber seems so artificial plus it has got to get hot from the heat of the sun which defeats the purpose of helping to hold in moisture. Just my thoughts - really all about what you prefer.
I use med or large chunk cedar bark mulch in my flower beds. The downside is the cedar fibers are like miniture needles when they get in your skin. The neighbor and I used dark red rubber mulch in the front around the utility box three years ago; and haven't had any maintenance required other than the stray dandilion. We can't have any plants around the box.
Anybody know where I can get Euclyptus mulch in the Atlanta, Georgia area? It is the best mulch to deter bugs, has a nice scent and retains its color longer.
someone said they would only use rubber in a playground because the rubber could leach some bad things into the ground and they did'nt want to harm their plants?? Is that strange.., KIDS on the play ground with nasty compounds in the ground but not plants???? I'm just sayin...
Tom, you got me thinking, but the difference is that heavy metals and other chemicals leach into the soil over time from rubber mulch, but it's not dangerous to touch or be around. If you let kids be around your tires, you can let them be around recycled rubber mulch. If your child is young enough that he or she might be eating lots of mulch, hopefully they are being very closely supervised.
My landscaper commented that cedar mulch has oils which are not good for flower beds??? I have used dyed pine bark mulch which stays "colored" for at lease a year. I only wish my landscaper could find a way to blow the beds without blowing away the mulch!!
I appears that Eucalyptus Mulch can be bought at Home Depot and Walmart. Also, I would highly recommend that anyone in the Atlanta area try Farmer D Organics. I'm not sure if they sell mulch, but it is a great little store and an excellent resource for anyone considering raised bed or eco friendly gardening.
I am a certified Master gardener in Florida and Live Nursery specialist at Lowes and I recommend Florimulch made from the melaluca tree. It is all natural and termite resistant and much cheaper than Eucalyptus and Rubber mulch. Its is a brown/natural color and has no artificial dyes added to it.
Not all Lowes in all states carry melaluca, I chose to order it because it was overtaking the everglades. Long story made short it makes an excellent packing mulch and is very good and affordable. Ask your Lowes garden center to start carrying it and they just might get it for you!
I used the rubber mulch in my last home....I love it and I'm going to use it in my new garden. I only had to add to it after 3 years, mostly due to raking and cleaning. Keep in mind that the black or brown is going to create more heat. I'm going with the shredded brown this time. Look closely, some of it is in chunks and I don't think it looks as nice. It's not cheap either but remember it dosn't fade and break down and have to be replenished every year like natural mulch. One more thing - termites don't like to eat rubber!
DO NOT use rubber mulch-- it is toxic, and gets hot in the summer sun. It also doesn't contribute to the "welfare" of the plants beneath it, and should be banned from being purchased. Depending on where you live and your personal preference for a landscape look, shredded pine bark mulch is your best choice overall. Cedar mulch, especially the dyed stuff, doesn't break down well, nor eventually will it become part of the soil structure, as does pine bark mulch. Remember that the smaller the
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mulch, the less it will move away from its designated spot. Here in the ATL area, people often use pinestraw as their preferred mulch, especially on sloped or hilly areas. But it needs to be applied twice a year--- costly!
Martha, I can understand why you might want to use rocks for their appearance, but they are not doing anything to help your plants, which is really the purpose for mulch. And, if you ever have to replace a plant, or want to add a new one, the rocks make the job a real chore.
I'm most concerned about ants and termites that I've heard could be a problem with bark mulch. You see I'm in Sanford. I'm just getting started so I need all the help I can get. Thanks for your input.
Martha, mulch should not touch your house, it should be 4 to 6 inches away from the foundation. That is enough distance to eliminate any threat of termites. (And it should not touch directly touch your plants, either. It should be a little distance away.)
I live in NH and have always used Cedar Mulch. It deters ants, termites, spiders, and other insects that you DON'T want in your garden, but the insects that you DO want in your garden (Aphids, Bee's, and other pollinators) don't mind it. If you have it at a reasonable size in chips, not chunks, it lasts a long time. Cedar Mulch, when layed properly, prevents weeds from growing. It is great at retaining the perfect amount of moisture and it does not heat your garden up during the day
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like darker colors would. Remember; the darker your mulch is, the hotter your garden beds will be because of heat absorption from the sun and this could affect how your plants grow. A lot of plants can not tolerate extra heat, especially from below. They need the sun from above for the photosynthesis, but the heat from the mulch should be minimal.
I would NEVER use Rubber Mulch for ANYTHING! Not even for a playground. As said before, as the rubber breaks down, all sorts of caustic chemicals leak into our soil and wreak havoc on our planet. You might as well have your town come and dump all their garbage in your yard while you're at it if you are using Rubber Mulch. It's basically the same thing as a landfill. I think that Rubber Mulch should be banned. There is absolutely NOTHING organic about it. You might as well pour your used car oil in your garden and plant your flowers around it.
Sorry about the rant on the Rubber Mulch, but I really do believe that it is a bad idea.
I'm glad I came back and read the opinions on the rubber mulch. I should have known better. I havn't gotten out in the garden yet so I didn't buy it and I won't now. Looks like the way to go is cedar mulch for me. Thanks everyonegood tips Doug about how to lay it down, thank you.
http://www.gardensalive.com/article.asp?ai=8...
this is from NPR's website from the show "You bet your garden." He always talks about the dangers of wood and bark mulch...
This species is listed on the FL DACS Florida Noxious Weed List.
I guess that is why they chop it up for mulch. I plan to try it soon.
Thank you for the posting.
i'm using rocks right now for my beds. i'm just getting started so
the jury is not in yet.
I'm most concerned about ants and termites that I've heard could be a problem with bark mulch. You see I'm in Sanford. I'm just getting started so I need all the help I can get. Thanks for your input.
I would NEVER use Rubber Mulch for ANYTHING! Not even for a playground. As said before, as the rubber breaks down, all sorts of caustic chemicals leak into our soil and wreak havoc on our planet. You might as well have your town come and dump all their garbage in your yard while you're at it if you are using Rubber Mulch. It's basically the same thing as a landfill. I think that Rubber Mulch should be banned. There is absolutely NOTHING organic about it. You might as well pour your used car oil in your garden and plant your flowers around it.
Sorry about the rant on the Rubber Mulch, but I really do believe that it is a bad idea.