Is Rubber Mulch Safe For Vegetable Gardens

No matter which you choose however mulching your vegetable garden has multiple rewards.

Is rubber mulch safe for vegetable gardens. Research and extension center responds. Weeds cannot thrive on the rubber and can t get through the mulch layer down to the soil. Rubber mulches made from shredded tires are touted by manufacturers as permanent aesthetically pleasing and safe for flowers plants and pets. The rubber mulch is appealing to some gardeners because it doesn t rot maintains very well the humidity in the soil doesn t attract insects and requires less maintenance.

Rubber mulch is not only toxic for your plants but will also give your garden an artificial look. Rubber mulch is commonly used for safety reasons in areas where children play. Yes research showed that if a kid fell onto rubber mulch from six feet up on a jungle gym he was less likely to be injured than if he fell on rocks concrete broken glass or sharp steel spikes. They will give you information about fertility ph and nutrient levels.

Rubber mulch didn t start out as a gardening product. The good news is that the smell should dissipate fairly quickly if the mulch is in the hot baking sun. Because rubber does not absorb water rubber mulch can actually help prevent fungal growth in plants. Rubber mulches are advertised as permanent effective and safe materials for use in landscapes and gardens.

Conversely plastic gravel and shredded rubber tires are all inorganic mulches that remain in place until you move them. This mulch type is very often used for kids playgrounds and landscaping projects but there are even people that use the rubber mulch in their vegetable gardens. Companies assert that the mulch material is an. Certain vegetables like tomatoes and peppers benefit from the soil.

The shredded rubber tire nuggets are non porous so water and fertilizer passes through it down to the soil it rests on. It suppresses weeds holds in moisture modifies soil temperature lessens the chances of certain diseases attacking your plants and adds an attractive look to your garden. To be on the safe side i would not use their mulch on your vegetable garden. It found its niche as a bouncy soft surface for children s playgrounds.