General Information & Installation Tips

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Link:  Recycled Rubber Mulch Product Page

General Information

Recycled rubber mulch is designed for general landscape use.  Pieces are 1” and smaller and offer excellent natural looking texture.  It is 98% steel free and is excellent for all types of general landscape areas.  It will not float or blow away and allows more water to flow to the soil and increases air to the soil.  Additionally, it will not sink into the soil or provide a food source for termites.  New weed growth is drastically reduced as weed seed dehydrates before it can germinate.  With recycled rubber mulch you have a beautiful, long lasting, and virtually maintenance free mulch that will be enjoyed and envied for years.

It is important to remember that rubber mulch does not kill weeds,  it prevents the seed from reaching the soil. The seed remains in the mulch where it will generally dehydrate as recycled rubber mulch does not take moisture out of the ground like organic mulches can.  Weed seed is already present in landscape beds and needs to be dealt with by using a pre-emergent (available at any garden center).  Recycled rubber mulch will allow more moisture through to your beds which your plants will love but will also allow existing weed seed in the ground  to germinate, so for best results always use a pre-emergent.  Also remember to treat existing weeds with a weed killer instead of pulling them.  Once you have dealt with the existing seed or weeds, you'll see a substantial reduction in new weed growth.

 We recommend a 3" depth -- Some areas may only need a 2" minimum depth.  Using a depth less than 2" will allow weed seed to reach the soil...remember this fact when comparing products.

Advantages of Recycled Rubber Mulch

• DOES NOT FLOAT
• SAVES MONEY ON ANNUAL MULCH PRODUCT & LABOR COSTS
• DOES NOT BLOW AWAY
• DOES NOT PROVIDE A HOME OR FOOD SOURCE FOR MOST INSECTS (PALMETTO BUGS, TERMITES ETC)
• DOES NOT LEACH:  CHEMICALLY SAFE FOR USE WITH CHILDREN, PETS, AND PLANTS
• EXTREMELY EASY TO INSTALL
• SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES WEED SEED GERMINATION
• DRAMATICALLY REDUCES MAINTENANCE TIME AND EXPENSE

Installation Tips

1.     REMOVE ANY EXCESS MULCH FROM YOUR BEDS.  UNLESS YOU HAVE A TERMITE PROBLEM IT IS OK TO LEAVE THE EXISTING MULCH IN YOUR BED.  JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOUR RUBBER MULCH WON'T SPILL OUT OF THE BED.  YOU MAY WANT TO PULL THE EXISTING MULCH 18 INCHES AWAY FROM YOUR FOUNDATION TO FURTHER INSURE INSECTS STAY AWAY FROM YOUR HOME.

2.    ANY WEED SEED ALREADY IN THE GROUND WILL GERMINATE.  APPLY A PRE-EMERGENT TO KILL THE SEED BEFORE INSTALLING RECYCLED RUBBER MULCH.

3.    IF YOU DO NOT APPLY A PRE-EMERGENT EXPECT THAT THE WEED SEED ALREADY PRESENT WILL GERMINATE IN A FEW WEEKS DUE TO THE EXTRA WATER NOW GETTING TO THE SOIL AND THE ADDED WARMTH FROM YOUR NEW MULCH.   APPLY A WEED KILLER, SUCH AS ROUND-UP)  TO WEEDS.

4.    ONCE THE WEED SEED IS ERADICATED FROM THE SOIL YOU CAN EXPECT A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN NEW WEED GROWTH.  WEEDS START AS SEED AND ARE CARRIED IN THE AIR.  RECYCLED RUBBER MULCH WILL CATCH THE AIRBORNE WEED SEED AND IT WILL GENERALLY DEHYDRATE.  THIS IS WHY WE RECOMMEND A 2 INCH DEPTH, TO KEEP THE SEED FROM REACHING THE SOIL.

5.    INSTALLING A WEED BARRIER WILL COLLECT SOIL ON TOP OF THE BARRIER AND HOLD MOISTURE AT THE SURFACE, INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF SEED THAT CAN GERMINATE.  IN MOST APPLICATIONS, SUCH PRODUCTS WILL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE NECESSARY TO KEEP YOUR BEDS WEED-FREE.

Recycled Rubber Mulch FAQ's

Q-  Is Rubber Mulch safe for my family and pets?
 A-  Absolutely, it is 100% non-toxic, non-leaching, and environmentally friendly.

Q- Where does the rubber come from?
A-  The mulch is made of 100% recycled tires.  Every cubic yard eliminates approximately 33 tires.

Q-  Is there an odor?
A- No.  Usually within 48 hours of installation all smell is gone.

Q-  Are there any plants I should not use Recycled Rubber Mulch around?
A-  All plant types will thrive, as water retention is excellent. The product does not retain water in itself; unlike organic mulches rubber does not promote fungus growth.

Q-  Will Recycled Rubber Mulch wash out?
A-  No.  Even in areas prone to wash out, Recycled Rubber Mulch will not wash out and run down your sidewalk or driveway.

Q- Do I need to install a weed barrier first?
A-  Absolutely not!  Weed barriers will trap soil on top and retain moisture creating the perfect bedding for weed seed.  Placing a weed barrier underneath Rubber Mulch will diminish the weed control properties of the material.

Q-  So does the rubber kill the weeds?
A-  No.  The rubber will not prevent weed seed that is already in the soil from germinating.  You can apply a pre-emergent before installation to kill the seed and/or apply a product such as Round-Up a few weeks after installation.  Once the weed seed is out of the soil, Rubber Mulch will trap the airborne weed seed and it will dehydrate before it germinates!  You will see a substantial reduction in weed growth.

Q-  Will weed killer discolor Recycled Rubber Mulch?
A-  No.  Weed killer will not affect Rubber Mulch in any way.  However, be careful with dry granulated fertilizer.  Be sure to water it in as the oxidizers in it will chemically burn the colorants.

Q-  How long will Rubber Mulch hold its color?
A-   In most environments the material will stay attractive for 5 years +.  Total color loss will take 10 years.