The Comparisons Between Rubber Mulch and Gravel

Rubber mulch and gravel are inert mulches, called “inorganic” mulches, though natural or synthetic rubber is made up of natural substances. Rubber mulch comes from recycled tires. Gravel mulch includes pea gravel, crushed stone and seams. Although both types of mulch may be used in the backyard, rubber mulch is actually the preferred mulch for layering under outdoor play equipment and on athletic fields because of its softness and resiliency. Use either type of mulch to cover pathways which don’t slope too much.

Marijuana Control

All mulches control weed growth. Both gravel and rubber mulches prevent weed seeds from germinating in case an adequate mulch layer is put on. Because gravel or pebbles tend to sink in the ground and may expose bare dirt, better safety is obtained when gravel is put on top of grass block or landscape fabric.

Permanence

Both rubber mulch and gravel last a long time. Microbes eventually degrade rubber mulch, because it’s composed of organic molecules. Rain and mechanical forces may displace gravel, especially fine gravel. You may have to replenish gravel every year, because some of it may sink in the ground or be displaced.

Soil Temperature

Although all types of mulches help retain soil moisture, gravel absorbs heat and raises the temperature of the soil. It also reflects heat onto neighboring plants and structures. Plants that love heat thrive with gravel mulch. Use gravel mulch in stone gardens for a natural look. Rubber mulch also absorbs heat but does not reflect this, also it increases soil temperatures.

Toxicity

Gravel is nontoxic to plants. However, since stone contains minerals that can leach out to the dirt, gravel may create soil more alkaline, especially limestone-derived gravel. Plants that love acid dirt don’t grow well in alkaline soil. Addition of rubber mulch assert that volatile toxic compounds discharge in the air and poisonous compounds leach out to the ground. Rubber itself is non toxic, but shredded tire rubber may contain toxic compounds which were used in the manufacturing of tires. Studies from the Environmental Protection Agency on rubber infill in athletic fields discovered that discharge of particulate matter, lead and organic chemicals to the air, though variable, were well below air quality standards. But studies, considering stormwater runoffs from artificial turf fields, discovered that zinc levels exceeded severe toxicity levels and may pose potential hazards, especially to aquatic organisms.

Flammability

Gravel mulch is nonflammable, while rubber mulch is flammable. It is even marginally more flammable than a few wood or wood needle mulches. Do not use rubber mulch if you live in a place of high fire risk.

Color Choices

Rubber mulch comes in several natural and unnatural colours, and the color is uniform. Rubber mulch comes not only in the form of shreds but also in solid strips and mats. Strips of rubber mulch can be set under fences, secured with landscape staples, to avoid mowing in difficult areas. Gravel or seams come in many natural stone colours. Use a gravel mulch color to meet your landscape and design.

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