The zinc in rubber tires leaches into the soil and is probably toxic to plants and humans. ===== It sounds like an environmentally friendly way to liven up your yard or garden: rubber mulch that's made from recycled tires. Rubber mulch can be use mostly the same way as any other mulch whether it's for landscaping, gardening, or children's playground. Most companies that manufactures rubber mulch labels it as a safe, economical and long-lasting alternative to regular wood mulch. Even my neighbor was trying to get me to buy into the whole rubber mulch idea as I spoke to him the last week. But is it really environmentally friendly as many companies claim it to be. According to a study by Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D. an Extension Horticulturist and Associate Professor at Washington State University states that. "Rubber mulches are touted by manufacturers and distributors as permanent ("doesn't decay away") and aesthetically pleasing ("no odor" - "looks like shredded wood mulch" - "earth tones and designer colors" - "special fade resistant coating") landscape materials. Furthermore, we are told that rubber mulch is "safe for flowers, plants and pets" (though it "doesn't feed or house insects") and "dramatically improves landscaping." It seems to be an environmentally-friendly solution to a major waste disposal problem." That's the myth of rubber mulch if you choose to believe the myth of the matter; it isn't as safe as you might think. Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph. D. further states, "Rubber mulches have not proved to be particularly good choices for either horticultural production or landscape uses. In comparison studies of several mulch types, rubber tire mulch was less effective in controlling weeds in herbaceous perennial plots than wood chips. Similarly, sawdust made better mulch for Christmas tree production in terms of weed control, microbial biomass, and soil chemistry. Another comparative study found rubber to be less effective than straw or fiber mulch in establishing turf grasses." If you think rubber mulch is still safe to use compare to the other organic mulches, grounded rubber is more likely to ignite and more difficult to extinguish. So in areas where natural or man-made fires are likely to happen rubber mulch should not be used. Mulching Options Rubber: Pros: Uses recycled tires and saves trees, can be dyed to match landscaping, long lasting. Cons: Cost higher than wood mulch; adds little nutritional value to plants and can add harmful zinc to plants. Wood: Pros: Depending on blend, can add a lot higher nutritional value than rubber or rock mulch; good value for the money. Cons: Has to be laid at least once a year due to decomposition. Rock: Pros: Best used for desert type plants. Cons: Offers no nutritional value; Must prepare to install rocks by first using a layer of weed mat that will act as a mulch agent. According to one USDA researcher who has studied zinc and other metals in soils and plant materials for decades strongly believes that ground rubber should not be used "in any composting, or in any potting medium, or casually dispersed on agricultural or garden soils" because of zinc toxicity. Studies have shown that rubber leachates are a very complex and can be damaging to humans either in short-term or long-term exposure in high enough concentrations. Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D. basically had this to say about rubber mulch. Rubbermulch is not as effective as other organic mulch choices in controlling weeds Rubbermulch is highly flammable and difficult to extinguish once it is burning Rubbermulch is not permanent; like other organic substances, it decomposes Rubbermulch is not non-toxic; it contains a number of metal and organic contaminants with known environmental and/or human effects. The Myth of Rubberized Landscapes Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D Here is a link that might be useful: Busting the Myth of Rubber Mulch as a Safe Alternative

sharonie, I didn't say 'look' for 'soil conditioner.' I said that sometimes the bag might be labeled like that. But the good news is that Hemlock mulch is definitely usable. Check out a bag of that if it's not too expensive. I'd like to know what it looks like. Maybe you could post a photo of hemlock mulch if you get some. Definitley no nuggets unless you want to be grinding them up in your blender or running them over with your car.....they are too big. Below is cut and pasted from Al's post: Bark fines of pine, fir or hemlock, are excellent as the primary component of your soils. This post was edited by edweather on Sat, Apr 20, 13 at 13:45

I think this product sounds very odd. I googled it because I had never heard of such a thing. Sadly, it reminds me of the "spray hair" remedy for baldness that was seen in informercials a while back. I also found out from my brief google investigation that the ingredients are a "trade secret", which means god-only-knows what you would be putting on your soil. I suspect a good raking of the present mulch with a thin new layer would be a better solution. Honestly, I don't know how much cheaper it would be to buy this "mulch magic" instead of, say, a yard of mulch (In my ridiculously expensive part of the Connecticut, a yard of good natural cedar is about 45.00, perfectly fine pine is only about 30.00 a yard.) A yard of mulch goes a long way, especially when thinly spread. Some well-chosen bargain plants, along with divisions from friends and neighbors would probably give enough "oomph" to satisfy for now.

Spraying poplar suckers has potential to damage the parent tree. Fine mulch is ideal for getting lots of new little plants coming up, as mentioned. Paper mulch is best for smothering weeds in an area that is going to be made into a bed later, rather than as a routine maintenance tool. You put down a thick layer and get it wet, keep it wet. Also a decorative mulch may be put over the newspaper layer, if desired. Coarser mulch such as clean arborist wood chips or purchased play chips is the most effective, however as has been pointed out in response to one of my posts on this site there can be issues with smothering when such materials are used near herbaceous plants. Even when applied some distance back chips may often migrate and get on top of perennials. Really if you are going to have flower plantings of much size and scope you can expect to be out there hand weeding etc. as a matter of course. If working among your flowers like this is more a vexation than a relaxation then consider making some changes. One way to include herbaceous plants in a home landscape without the upkeep being too much is to have one small or smallish area where these are planted, with the rest in lawn and woody plants (mulched with wood chips). This post was edited by bboy on Mon, Aug 18, 14 at 15:14