I need about 10-12 yards of mulch every year or about $800-$1000 ($80 a yard installed). The cost and my wife's concern over termites is making us consider shredded rubber mulch. The landscaping company is against this (and lawn fabric to prevent weeds) but they have a vested interest in the reoccurring work. I also live in North Jersey with a TON of oaks so leaves are a concern. The landscaping company says it is harder to blow the leaves out which doesn't make much sense given the rubber should weight more. It seem the rubber mulch is about 3X more expensive but will stay black up to 10 years. There must be something else I am missing besides the initial smell if I rarely see it being used.

Does anyone have shredded rubber mulch installed? Any issues? How long does it last?
Opinions on weed fabric seem to change from person-to-person. I don't plan to install something and I would cut out the fabric if necessary. I realize roots are harder to pull through the fabric so I am going back-n-forth on the installation.

 

Weed fabric helps for several years+. Eventually dirt, leaves and other matter accumulates on top of the fabric and can support weeds. It's a good way to go if you don't regularly plant new things.

I have a couple small areas with rubber mulch. It does stay in place well but I think it will be annoying if you have trees in the area. With natural mulch leaves and twigs blend in more where with rubber they stand out. So, while you save by not having to mulch every 2 or 3 years there is more maintenance to keep it looking nice. Oh, and if you don't like it it is a major expense to have someone rake and shovel it up and dispose of it.

 

What about rocks instead?

 

Wife wants mulch and concerned rubber mulch is a bad idea. I think the fear of termites made her look into rubber mulch.

 

I have to tell you, part of the reason I'm on boards like this is all the reassurance that divorce is one of the greatest things in the world.

 

It's a misconception that wood mulch attracts termites!

What it does is creates a moist environment (which is what it is intended to do) where they could live.

If you put down wood or rubber mulch you are essentially creating the same environment with both!