It's that time of year again when spending time in the garden (whether you love gardening or not) is a necessity. As most of you know, this is my first proper Spring in our new house. We moved house last spring (how time has flown by!) but I was so busy with unpacking and trying to keep some normalcy to family life, I had practically no time for gardening.
I still don't, if truth be told. Our builders have just finished major building work, so I'm super busy with painting, decorating, and cleaning up the mess - it all seems never-ending. Meanwhile, to hold off doing more gardening than I have to, I've discovered a super solution to keep the weeding to a minimum. Our local diy and gardening shop has just started selling rubber mulch, a clever item which was originally used only in children's playgrounds. You may have stepped on its soft surface while taking your own kids to the sea-saws.
It's 100% recycled from old rubber, is soft and safe, and comes in several bright colours. I remember collecting some leftover red ones (8 years ago) from my daughter's old school when they re-did their playground. I used the loot in the front of the kids' playhouse at home. I was surprised when I noticed it (in smaller portions) as an option for the domestic garden.
I bought some and used it as landscape mulch around my roses late last summer and have had no problems whatsoever with weeds. A week ago, I got some more, as I've got ideas of how I can use them in the garden functionally and aesthetically - it's a win-win situation. When the garden is in good shape, I shall be taking some pictures to share with you.
Have you discovered something clever lately? Have you used something domestically which was originally only used industrially?
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14 comments:
Resourceful.
This is new to me, Anne. Yes, I saw the rubber mulch at the play ground, but I didn't know that we could use it in the garden area..Thanks for the information!
I had no idea about rubber mulch. It sounds like an interesting idea.
Very interesting. Rubber mulch is new to me.
Thanks for the visit, guys.
This is so good to know, and I'll have to look for it in the store when it's time to do some gardening.
You have given me a lot of hope. We like the rubber padding so much and wish to have it in the back yard for play area for Trinity, but haven't had the guts to. Glad to know someone that likes it.
that is such a clever idea! one spring i shoveled
out a lot of black dirt and covered it with mulch.
it was so surprising how lovely the rich soil was
at the feet of my shrubs and roses that i left it
like that without planting any annuals. in fact
now, if i am having a big party and don't have
time to plant flowers, i still add the dark soil and mulch. it sort of adds the same effect as a dark line around a colored picture.
are you enjoying your blog break? i sure have!
blessings,
lea
Anne, you are going to think I am crazy when I tell you this, but these items are not intended for outdoor use and I have adapted them;
1) I have a pretty pink bathroom sink. I bought it at a thrift store for a couple of dollars and dug a hole in my front yard and planted strawberries and chives in it. The chives have buds on them now. Both of them came back after winter. Now last year something ate my strawberries but I used chives for cooking all the time. We love them.
2) Big Lots sells a small little canopy netting to protect picnic foods from insects. This is going to go over my strawberries. Hopefully we will get to eat some this year. lol I think I will anchor it down with hair pins. What do you think? I hope it will keep out the squirrels this time.
No, Judy. I'm glad you shared this. I'm known for using things for other purposes than they're meant for. I love the idea and have thought of using it before. My husband's not convinced:-)
2. You could anchor the net down with those pins they use to keep the membrane down on the ground. You know that membrane they spread before they put gravel down? Or you could use the pins that come with football goals? Garden centres may have them?
Great ideas! We dug up part of our yard for the kids to planet stuff and maintain. I'll incorporate some of these ideas. Have a great weekend!
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This rubber mulch sounds like a great product, thanks so much for sharing.
Excellent!
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