Do Rubber Mulch Chips Stop Weeds?

Weed Control

• Rubber mulch does provide weed control. It does not eliminate or prevent all weeds, but suppresses their growth and reduces the number of weeds that grow wherever it is placed. Rubber mulch is as effective as most other forms of mulch or ground coverings such as wood chips or gravel. Used in combination with plastic sheeting, rubber mulch can provide many years of almost complete weed control. The plastic sheeting placed under the mulch prevents weeds or seeds that already may be in the soil from growing, while the rubber mulch keeps new seeds from reaching the ground or rooting.

Advantages

• When compared to other types of mulch, rubber mulch offers continuous weed control. Organic mulches eventually work their way into the soil or are washed away by rain or sprinklers. They must be replenished regularly, about every six months on average. As these mulches disappear, they leave room for weeds to take root. Rubber mulch stays in place. It does not wash away or sink into the soil. It also does not disintegrate, so the weed control it provides is constant.

Safety

• Rubber mulch is not as safe for the landscape or plants as many other types of mulches. Wood chip mulch, for example, provides nutrients for plants as it is absorbed into the soil. Rubber mulch can leach toxic chemicals into the soil as it slowly breaks down. It can cause high levels of zinc in the soil. The rubber mulch may keep weeds away, but it may also kill desirable plants and flowers if too much zinc builds up in the garden. It is also flammable and a rubber mulch fire can be difficult to extinguish.

Uses

• Rubber mulch is commonly used in playgrounds, both to keep weeds down and to provide a gentle, flexible play surface. It absorbs impacts well, cushioning jumps and falls. Rubber mulch is also popular in preventing weeds from appearing in barren areas of landscapes. Because of it may leach chemicals, rubber mulch is better suited to areas where no plants are being grown than for placement in flower beds and gardens.