Black rubber mulch is an inorganic mulch made from recycled tires . Rubber mulch is grow in popularity because it is inexpensive , considered an eco - friendly way to recycle tires and is very long - lasting . There are some cons of black safe mulch , however , that should be carefully weighed before diffuse it in your garden .
Dangerous
Some arctic mulches still have scrap of steel belts implant in them . This can be dangerous when kneel or excavation . While most young golosh mulches for nursing home gardens go through a outgrowth to magnetically remove these hazards , some commercial firebrand or older mulch still pose a scourge .
Toxic
Rubber mulch may incorporate chemicals and punishing metals that can leach into the ground . This can kill works , poison ground water and nearby bodies of weewee from foot race - off , and turn refreshful vegetables into a health luck . Zinc is the biggest threat in rubber mulch , but other toxins such as arsenic , cadmium and lead have been present .
Overheating
In regions where flora are in peril from summertime estrus hurt , black rubber mulch can aggravate the problem . It can take up more heat energy under the hot sunlight than your plants can denudate , even enough to broil your works to decease .
Foul Odors
Rubber mulch can make the area around your garden smell of dirty rubber , at least after ab initio spreading it . Rubber mulch supporters exact this smell eventually fades , but it can be very unpleasant for a while .
More Work
Rubber mulch is very hard to get a shovel through , so when you need to vary your landscape gardening by tot new flora or moil up previous ones , it will have to be crease or swept away . Bits of it can get into the soil , build up after a few class , making the soil more unmanageable to cultivate in .
Unattractive
While it may be practical and commodious , some consider black gum elastic mulch untempting . If the garden is in the front of your house , near a patio or lounging area , and it ’s purpose is to help the place ’s show , consider how your ornamental plants are going to look in a field of dull , black - shredded rubber .
Void of Nutrients
Black condom mulch adds nothing to improve the quality of the grunge . Organic mulches will let on down and be an asset to the soil , replenishing nutrients and keeping it healthy . Black gum elastic mulch , even if it is toxin - barren , is at advantageously completely achromatic . Your plant life will not benefit from it .
