I have had several inquiries on the rubber mulch that we put in our flowerbeds last spring. Here we are a year later. We are very pleased with the outcome. It did not fade. It does not wash away in the rain. not that we’ve had much rain! Insects are not drawn to it. (Ants seem to like our regular mulch) We did buy a few more bags last week to add in as it does settle a bit. Overall we give it an “A-“.
Here is a portion of last year’s post for those interested:
The past weekend involved a work in the front yard day. March 31. Our temp reached 92 degrees. Regardless, we made the trip to Home Depot (twice), loaded up with mulch, and started the job. The past couple of years we have debated on trying the rubber mulch. The company claims that the color lasts 12 years. That it will save you work and money not having to re-mulch year after year. No, I don’t believe them. Scotts has a one year color guarantee on their regular mulch and the reality has been about two months, maybe three for our sun in Oklahoma. After visiting with my sister though, (no pressure, Renae!) we decided to go with the rubber mulch this year. The cost is quite a bit more. But if VIGORO’s word is true, we’ll be in good shape. Plus, this time I am keeping the receipt and a bag. I will “call” them on it if there is a problem AND let you know, too!
Besides loading up the mulch, I think the toughest job was watching my hubby dig out the old. It was really hot just standing out there. 😉 Then bagging up what I didn’t reuse to fill the bottom of some flower pots, that was a chore, too. As I write this, it sounds so easy! It took us several hours and we have aches and pains today, so there IS some work involved.
The after really is pretty. And it looks like regular mulch. But it smells like a tire store! (but just at first) We still have the backyard to go. I am doing regular mulch on it and we’ll have a good comparison for the future.
Oh…and as for our backyard this year and the regular mulch? We’ll be replacing it all. Again.
Have a great day, friends. Take care of yourself ♥
stuff i tell my sister 
What happens to the mulch in the long run? Does it stay there like plastic? What if birds ingest bits of it? Except for those concerns, it sounds great.
Good question. I would consider this mulch to be pretty good size chunks….I have never noticed the birds in it at all.
Do you know what chemicals are in that rubber?
I read on the package that it is recycled tires. It is supposed to be safe for playgrounds.
I’ll take the tire store smell over the decomposing mulch smell! Haha.
😉 I noticed it last year because we did A LOT! The 4 or 5 bags we through on top didn’t even smell to me this time around. Or maybe my allergies are too messed up to know the diff?
Great information, Paula. I’ve put down organic mulch every year because my dog thinks anything else is game to chew on! Do you happen to have soaker hoses under your mulch? If so, how well do they work?
I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. You may pick it up at my blog site: http://sheridegrom.wordpress.com/2013/04/17.
I do not have soaker hoses under my mulch…and now you have me wishing that I did!!!
Thank you SOOOO much for thinking of me! You are a dear ♥
That was a terrific read, I’m going to check and see if it is carried anywhere locally. Thanks!
You’ll have to let me know how your adventure goes 😉
Lol, every day for me is an adventure. Got into a fist fight with a bumblebee and neither of us wanted to concede. I turned the hose on him and he turned all of his little friends that were hiding in the bushes on me. We almost had a scene from “My Girl.”
Oh NOOOO! I am scared of flying critters so I can picture this …except….I would have dropped the hose and run for my bug spray while screaming!! lol! If they come inside the house…I get the vacuum cleaner hose after them…unless they are hornets….here is my experience from last year….. https://stuffitellmysister.me/2012/07/11/killer-wasp-prisoner/ 😉
Rubber mulch – who woulda thunk it?
I know! I think it’s pretty smart. Sure beats tires in a dump!
They use it in Calgary parks under swings and slides, rubber that is, sometimes in the form of pebbles and sometimes as a solid mat – a soft place to land.
I sure could have used that when I was a kid! 😉
haha me too!
Wow, you are some gardener!!! Never heard about this before, but I’m sure we have it too … live in an apartment and gardening isn’t my strong side. Looking very good. I can imaging that some pain is involved in this job.
It’s easy to maintain once it is done….that’s the good part! 😉 It’s also a super therapy method. 😉
And just think, if you feel like doing cartwheels or handstands, you can just go in your front yard garden, it is safe for playgrounds after-all. And, I am sure the neighbors would love that!! 😀
Come join me Bonnie! I’ll let you go first! 😉
Oh, but it’s your home, I would never be one to impose. Besides, I would need to be taking photos! 🙂
😉 We can take turns….and you are my guest…so YOU go first!
Oh, but I would want to learn from the best first, and I just KNOW you are the best at cartwheels. I just know it! YOU go first!! 🙂
somersaults….that’s all I got!
sigh…me too. Oh but such lofty goals and plans. Maybe we could convince your sister to do cartwheels!? 🙂
yes! She can do that! 😉
Thanks for the information I’ll have to check out the rubber mulch, I get tired (no pun intended) of always replacing mulch.
lol! thanks for making me laugh! But yes….it was almost nothing this year. Love it.
I’ve never heard of rubber mulch, and your pictures didn’t load on my screen 😦 But it sounds like such a great idea! 🙂 I never tire of great ideas! 🙂
Never tire…. cleverness 😉 It is a clean mulch and so much easier to deal with!
It happens when you have time to think – i’m re-tired! 🙂
😉