Rubber Mulch can be used for landscaping, but, as with many things in life, there are pros and cons to doing so. With various color options to choose from, rubber mulch can make gardens and landscapes appear brighter and more verdant for years to come, and if laid properly, it can even inhibit weed growth. However, there are other considerations to using rubber mulch for landscaping that should be given their due diligence.
Rubber mulch is durable, and can save time and money by eliminating the need for annual mulching. What’s more, colored rubber mulch will maintain its luster and sheen for years, and won’t rot, blow away, or decompose in the face of intense sunlight and inclement weather. Rubber mulch for gardens is also an excellent way to ensure that your plants won’t be swarmed with insects, since, unlike wood mulch, rubber mulch doesn’t act as a natural attractor of pesky bugs like termites.
Slowing weed and fungal growth is another benefit of using rubber mulch for gardening. By reducing the frequency with which you have to pull weeds, you lighten the workload on yourself and all those who work in your garden.
Since rubber mulch is nonbiodegradable and contains soil contaminants such as zinc, using rubber mulch for landscaping has its drawbacks, especially if used around plant life such as flowers or trees. Excessively high zinc levels, while helpful in reducing the presence of weeds in a garden, can hinder plant growth if used improperly. Additionally, since rubber mulch can’t be mixed with the soil like wood mulch can, weeds and other natural debris that inevitably accumulate in and around rubber mulch can’t be addressed with tilling, and will need to be pulled out by hand.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use rubber mulch for landscaping has its pros and cons. While rubber mulch won’t kill grass or spoil soil, you should still carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of rubber mulch before committing to using it for landscaping. Be sure to keep up to date on the latest peer-reviewed research with respect to rubber mulch and soil quality, as well as how rubber mulch can affect plant life.
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
