Landscaping includes a lot of different plant and earth sciences to provide aesthetically pleasing and beneficial elements to our homes, businesses, parks, schools or anywhere there is bare ground. Preservation of clean water is arguably the single most important concern, and a precious commodity in today's society. Households typically use 70% of their water consumption irrigating their yard landscaping. Landscape mulch is often used in planters to save water, around plants and trees, where moisture is retained in the soil by the shade provided and evaporation is reduced. Product photos and pop-up.

The Easy Choice

PermaLife Mulch provides so many benefits at competitive prices, including exclusive features no other manufacturer can offer.

• Made from 100% recycled tires
• Environmentally safe & sensitive (does not consume forest resources)
• All colors are non-toxic, HAPS-free & non-staining
• Exclusive Microban antimicrobial protection mixed into the paint coating
• Will not attract termites, insects or rodents like other mulches
• Saves time and money every year by replacing the need for annually mulching
• Long-lasting, vibrant colors will retain its look year after year
• Non-harmful to children, pets or animals
• Heavier and more durable than other mulch materials
• Will not float away in heavy rain or blow away with the wind
• Acts as a weed barrier with a 2" or greater application
• Helps retain vital moisture in the ground for plants, shrubs and trees
• Protects against mosquito nesting, rubber mulch remains dry on top
• Available in vibrant colors to match your landscape
• Insulates root systems from harsh winter weather
• Excellent drainage for use around plants and flowerbeds
• Colors resist fading, decomposition and leaching

The Problems with Wood Mulch

Many landscapers apply wood mulch, which is supposed to provide benefits to plants and trees in a number of ways. However, many communities are becoming aware of the many problems which are now becoming associated with the use of wood mulch. These range from retention of excess fertilizers and/or pesticides absorbed and retained in the wood fiber, to developing fungus, mold and other bacteria, and blowing or washing away in wind or rain. Add to this the natural attraction to wood mulch of termites, ants, roaches, mice, rats and other undesirable pests, and the benefits of using wood mulch start to diminish.

The Wood Mulch Breakdown

Wouldn't it be great if a landscape mulch could be applied, and not have to worry about reapplying it every 4-6 months? This is one of the most common complaints about wood mulch, having to replace it every 2-3 times a year, due to deterioration, and attrition caused by nature - wind and rain. Sometimes, heavy rains or irrigation run-off causes wood mulch to wash into storm drains (or pools). It isn't just the cost of wood mulch that's a concern, which is minimal, it's the labor to keep buying, delivering and replacing it.

Many people might feel wood mulch is better, because of what it brings to tree roots when it deteriorates. In some communities, they are now realizing that the cedar mulch they've been using for years is actually killing many of their precious plants, shrubs and trees. When harmful bacteria, fungus and mold are allowed to multiply inside a wonderful host such as warm and moist wood, it can attack sensitive roots. Because the roots are the lifeline, this can cause stress, diseases or even kill plants or trees. Next time you're near wood mulch, look at the material closest to the soil. Do you see any mold or fungus growing in and on the wood? It might appear in the form of black spots, "puff balls", light orange (moist), yellow or white (dry) slime mold. All too often, the answer is yes, in warm and climates.

Some of the specific problems associated with wood mulch include "Hot Mulch" or "Killer Bark", artillery or "shotgun" fungus, slime mold, puff balls or "smoking mushrooms." Hot mulch is created when wood mulch is inside bags or piled up for a long time without air exposure. It develops toxic fumes and usually can kill plants and lawns, and harm trees.

Wood chips have a tendency to deteriorate rapidly, taking valuable nitrogen from the soil, which needs to be replenished to avoid negative effects on the plants or trees. In addition, applications of fertilizers and pesticides can accumulate inside wood mulch when wet and then dry out, enabling high concentrations of these substances to be released when they get wet again. This doesn't add up to a lot of benefits for wood mulch as it deteriorates.

Now let's talk about insects and rodents. I know, it's not a subject most people want to talk about, much less think about. Hey, termites love wood, and so do all sorts of insects. The facts are, most insects and rodents make nests, and wood mulch may be the perfect material available to them. What's left behind by visiting rodents may contain potentially harmful pathogens, which can pass through skin upon instant contact. I'm not sure about you, but I'm not in any hurry to be digging in my garden, if that's the case. I also don't want to come across fire ants or some other insect nest underneath my wood mulch, because they love to eat and break down the wood fiber.

The Solution... PermaLife Landscape Mulch

It's made from 100% recycled used tires, which don't serve any beneficial purpose to our landfills. Tire rubber doesn't break down easily, which makes it last for decades. The proprietary color coating with Microban makes the colors last longer, while killing microbes and bacteria. It can't absorb any fertilizers or pesticides, and molds and fungus won't grow on it. Because it's heavier than wood mulch, it won't blow away or wash out as wood chips can. Add to this the fact that insects and vermin can get no benefits from rubber mulch, and it lasts for years and years. What this means to you is, you place it around your plants and trees, and you don't have to worry about it for a long time to come.

Take a look at our handy Calculator page to figure out the size of your area, and how much PermaLife Landscape Mulch you require. We also have a Mulch Comparison sheet in PDF format available for download, which compares the most common mulches, their features and related costs. You may also visit the PermaLife website, if you would like more information about PermaLife Mulch.

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