Anyone tried rubber mulch?

Question

I know it's more expensive, but if it lasts a lot longer it may be worth it. Pros and cons would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

rubber doesn't decompose and isn't healthy for the environment.  look at natural materials like bark, newspaper, coffee grounds, etc.

Answer 2

I would never use it. I can't see how anyone can effectively keep an area covered in that stuff clean. Once it's down it won't be easy to get rid of either.

Answer 3

Pros:

Rubber mulch last a long time.

It retains its color.

It is soft on the feet.

It is more resistant to insects.

Cons:

Rubber mulch is very expensive.

It will float... if the area pools water, the mulch will float away.

In my opinion if the mulch is used in a well drained area you will be satisfied with the results, especially if it is for a playground or other place where you want a softer surface.

Answer 4

Two of my neighbors use rubber tire mulch.  I even helped one of them mulch around their fishpond with it.

It's heavy enough that it won't wash away in a torrential rain.  

It doesn't decompose into the soil and require replacement.

It doesn't lose its bright color, so it always looks fresh.

It creates a professional, formal appearance.  If you want to mulch once and walk away from it, it's a good choice.

I can't use rubber mulch; I'm apparently sensitive to something in tire rubber.  Working with rubber mulch makes me feel queasy and achy.  I prefer bark mulch that decomposes into the soil and enriches it, but must be replaced yearly.  I'm a putterer, constantly changing my landscaping and adding/moving plants, so I like the flexibility of organic mulches.

A tip:  sometimes the chain home improvement stores will sell busted-open bags of mulch, soil, etc. for half-price; you just have to ask them.  Probably not the rubber mulch, as it's so expensive.

Answer 5

Rubber mulch is made from recycled rubber products and a fairly new mulch item.  It can be painted to look like wood, but it doesn't decompose like wood.

Pros--

looks like wood

keeps plants warm in the winter and soil moist

does not decompose like most mulches

Cons--

expensive, more so than wood

heavier than most mulches