Has anyone used the rubber mulch? If so , what is your opinion?

Judy
by Judy
  5 answers
  • Was all the rage when it first appeared. In my climate it will not work except in an area with no plants. It gets way too hot (was 113° here today in the shade, imagine the temp in full sun), and can "cook" the plants. Some even reported melting. Many said the off gassing odor was not pleasant. While I think it may have its uses, think about placement and sun exposure. My friends that live in places that could use it have opted for other forms of mulch due to the potential toxic off gassing and concern for their pets, wildlife and kids. Do your research, some brands are better than others.

  • Cindy Cindy on Jul 07, 2018

    Rubber mulch has been very controversial. Before retiring, my husband worked for a local school district. The district decided to put rubber mulch down on their playgrounds. After just a couple months, they decided to remove all the rubber mulch in the district. They learned that it was not safe. If there is any kind of fire, the fumes and smoke are toxic. So the mulch had to go. So, my advice is to research rubber mulch. I would not use it.

  • Chubby58 Chubby58 on Jul 07, 2018

    We use it to put in large areas inside borders. We got the Vigiro brown mulch. I have hosta planted sporadically in the area under 4 trees and they’re doing fine. We used the weed block, then put a thin layer of the rubber mulch, just enough to cover the weed block. I Put newspaper, wetted down and regular brown mulch over that. Little too pricey to do everything.

  • Elfrieda Elfrieda on Jul 08, 2018

    Don't use it. Some of the mulch may have threads of metal from the tires in it also. Tests have been conducted with this mulch (which smells when it gets hot); and plants don't thrive with this around them. Just a bad idea.

  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on Jul 08, 2018

    I haven't used it, but I was at a home show recently that featured it. I like what I saw. The higher grade product is very realistic and very fine. Not like what I've seen on playgrounds in the past. I like the fact that it won't blow away.