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Old 15-01-2007, 02:48 AM posted to rec.gardens
George.com George.com is offline
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Default Rubber Mulch - Opinions


"Frank" wrote in message
ups.com...

George.com wrote:
"Frank" wrote in message
oups.com...

Me wrote:
I have been thinking about going with rubber mulch around my shrubs.

I
know
it is more expensive but between putting down another inch or two

every
year
and the 2-3 times per season of breaking the mulch up, i think the

cost
is
worth it. I have been reading positives and negatives on the

internet
but
because the positives are from the manufacturer and the negatives

are
from
organic based groups, it is hard to get a "honest" opinion plus most

of
the
info i have been finding is 2-3 years old. Any one have recent

experiences
they would like to share? I am looking at Rubberstuff and
Rubberific...leaning towards Rubberific due to the their grind of

the
rubber.

No experience but if this stuff is ground up tires, I don't think I
would want it around my house because of possible persistant nature of
rubber additives and curing agents.
Frank


I have never used it either but I am wondering whether the stuff will

get
strewn round your garden, lawn etc. This type of stuff is used in

childrens
play grounds and often contained by raised boxing. If it is fine and not
properly contained how easy is it to pick up from places you don't want

it?
How easily will it get mixed in with soil?

I thought about this and my personal opinion is that whatever chemicals
are present will be highly diluted or degrade and not have any toxic
effect. OTOH there is the public perception - call it chemophobia -
where others will be concerned. Thus, if they see it around your
house, it will detract from perceived value of property. So, that is
main reason I would not use it.


I wasn't so much concerned with chemicals Frank, more wondering about it
getting mixed in with soil and becoming a persisent pain in the arse. I have
found bark mulch eventually gets mixed in to the soil and becomes a
headache. Rubber will just exist that much longer in the garden. Fare better
use a wood chip mulch I reckon as it will degrade if/when combined with
soil. Unless the garden will never be tilled I doubt I would use it.

rob