While I knew about recycled newspaper and it use as insulation, I did learned about the use of recycled blue jeans in Stephanie Edwards post. So, it got me thinking about my recent discovery. And wondering if may be I wasn't the last person to hear about this product.
I decided to share it just in case there is someone out there that hasn't heard about this. It's called Rubber Mulch. They make the rubber mulch for landscaping or for other uses such as playgrounds. It is made by shredding old tires. The playground mulch is finer and made specifically for play. The landscaping mulch is bigger. The only reason landscaping mulch should not be used for play is due to the chance of some wire still remaining in the rubber. I have decided to use this in my flower bed. Although I haven't come across much wire, the couple I encountered did feel like a hitting the tip of a needle. According to the Everlast makers, the steel will dissipate about a year or less.
The benefits of using this type of mulch is that it is not bug friendly (especially for termites!), it comes in a variety of colors, the color lasts at least 5 years, it helps control weeds, and it stays where it's put. Our house came with pine straw in the flower beds. During one of the recent storms, the pine straw moved to my grass and my flowers were all a mess. I layed down some of the rubber mulch on one side the day after. It just so happens we got another heavy rain that night. I anxiously went outside to see how the rubber mulch did. It was all still in the flower bed and it looked untouched.
While it is more expensive than using a typical mulch, I think the benefits far outweigh the cost. The fact that it's not wood laying next to your home in termite ridden states, like Georgia, is the greatest benefit to justify the cost. For those not living in termite loving places, the best benefit is that it doesn't fade or need to be replaced as often.
This is one side of my flower bed in the front yard. The picture was taken in the shade.
The other side of my flower bed. This one was taken in the sun.
So while I am mulching, I am helping recycle tires.
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I really like rubber mulch. We haven't invested in it yet, but we have plans to. Just no time to spend in the yard. I love the fact that it doesn't move. I did not know about it having wires in it, but I will keep that in mind.