Went to the local Home and Garden Show this weekend..... one product that
seemed to have value was "rubber mulch" which was manufactured out
of recycled tires.

Some reasons why I thought it would work a

Longevity - keeps its color for about 20 years. The material doesn't break down.

About 5 times heavier than traditional mulch... I have a lot of leaves in the fall plus
those stupid round spiky balls from sweet gum trees all year round. Using a blower
on shredded hardwood, blows the mulch away. The sales literature suggests
that yard cleanup will be a lot easier using the rubber mulch which stays intact.

The rubber mulch does not absorb or transfer water between air and ground...Water
soaks through the pieces of mulch and is kept in the ground. Less watering, more
water available to the plants, less evaporation.

The rubber mulch is inorganic and will not attract insects and will not provide a
home for slugs....both of which are a continuing problem. Which in turn
cuts down on the use of insecticide.

The area which I'm thinking of using this mulch is a plant bed in front of the
house.... the area is 6' by 25'. The current plants are 3 China Girl Hollies,
a full grown yew... rows of established Hostas, a few lillies and daffodils
and a established fern. The bed is pretty well established, I'm not planning
on adding any more plants to it, but will have to divide the hostas and replenish the
bulbs.

So despite the fact that on a hot zone 8 day (temperatures of 105'), the front yard
yard may smell like a car tire.... and that I will not be able to turn over this bed
again....... Are there any downsides to using this product under these circumstances??

Thanks !!!

http://www.rubberificmulch.com/