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The traditional playground covering, gravel and rocks, have been around for decades. If you can’t recall what material covered your elementary school’s playground, perhaps your parents can remind you of the sound of feet running through the rocks while playing tag during recess. Those were the days, and thankfully they’re behind us. Well, kind of. While rocks are still widely used for landscaping projects, rubber surfacing and wood mulch are more popular options for playgrounds. While rubber is often chosen for its ability to reduce injury, mulch provides a less toxic foundation for children to play on, which is why it is such a popular choice. Taking into consideration that rocks are still an option, which covering is the best option for playgrounds?

Pros and Cons of Rocks
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Rocks and gravel covered playgrounds, while not as popular as rubber and mulch, are still used as a landscape covering by day care centers, schools, parks, and other residential and business owners. Let’s unpack the pros and cons of using rocks for your playground foundation. **Pros:**

*   Rocks are fire resistant
*   Less repetitive clean up is required as rocks are heavier than mulch and won't be blown or trampled out of place as much as other coverings
*   No need to replace rocks as they are not biodegradable and will last longer
*   Rocks make it more difficult for weeds to grow through as they are starved of moisture
*   The harder surface of the rocks makes it easier to clean as needed

**Cons:**

*   Rocks hold heat when outdoor temps are high, which may cause injury when touched and cause the play area to become hotter make for a hotter
*   Removing or replacing the rocks will be a time consuming and laborious process
*   Falling upon the rocks, especially broken ones, will most certainly cause injuries

**When the Rubber Meets the Road**

*   Rocks can become rather expensive due to weight, delivery, and installation costs

Rubber playground covering can be either in the form of a flat, whole surface, or installed as a rubber mulch. Either way is a popular choice for playground surfacing due to its ability to last much longer than other surfaces, while providing a safer foundation for children to play on without becoming injured. However, many choose to avoid rubber mulch and surfaces as rubber is known for releasing toxins in extreme heat. Aside from the odor during installation, removal can be very difficult, it may fade over time, and it’s quite flammable when facing direct flame. In terms of cost, rubber landscaping mulch and whole rubber surfaces are much more expensive than other coverings. If going with a whole surface, installation will also play a huge factor in pricing as it is more difficult to install than simply blowing mulch. The overall costs are even higher when selected a recycled, toxin-free, or odorless rubber material.

Wood Mulch
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Probably the most cost-effective and least time consuming surface for your residential or business playground is wood mulch, which can be installed at a fraction of the time and costs of rubber and rocks. Playground mulch should be durable and able to withstand the high amount of traffic without becoming displaced. Wood chips, eucalyptus, and cypress mulches are all recommended for playgrounds due to their durability and safety. For a few dollars more, organic wood mulch will ease any concerns for toxicity.

Which is Best For Playground Landscaping?
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Whatever your main concern is when it comes to selecting a mulch covering for playgrounds, when it comes to safety, cost effectiveness, and overall appearance, wood mulch wins hands down. As always, mulch installation and mulch delivery offered through GetMulch.com's nationwide network of the best mulch suppliers and mulch installers is only a few clicks away. Visit our interactive website to request a quote, or if you’ve already decided to go with a professional, let us know more about your project and we’ll connect you with a professional mulch installer or mulch supplier near you.

The traditional playground covering, gravel and rocks, have been around for decades. If you can’t recall what material covered your elementary school’s

Mulch, Rocks, Rubber: Choosing a Covering for Playgrounds

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**Who Can Benefit from Mulch Blowing Services?** Virtually any type of property with landscaping, play areas, or common areas can benefit from mulch blowing services. Not sure if it's worth it to pay for mulch delivery? Here's what you should know. **Homeowners** Landscaping is an easy way to increase a home's value and make a good first impression on neighbors and guests. In fact, landscaping offers one of the highest returns on investment among all types of home improvement projects. While mulching is an important part of maintaining landscaping and keeping it looking its best, it can be a messy and time-consuming process. Blown-in mulch is a cost-effective way to conserve water, suppress weeds, and support healthy plant growth. When mulch is professionally blown-in, it leaves no mess with installation done in a single afternoon. Homeowners can save both time and money with affordable blown-in mulch service. **HOA Common Areas** HOAs have a responsibility to maintain common areas of the community which may include playgrounds, pool areas, landscaping, and the facility entrance. Maintaining a safe and attractive exterior doesn't just improve property values; it also makes owners happy. Professional mulch installers work remotely to blow mulch where it's needed. There's no mess and the mulch is installed quickly and affordably. There will be no hassle for owners and most installers offer month-to-month services. Mulching services can also reduce ongoing maintenance costs for the HOA. **Property Managers and Landlords** Beautiful landscaping makes a rental property more desirable. Great curb appeal allows you to maintain your rent price and attract tenants faster. Mulch is a simple way to beautify apartment complexes and private rental properties. Mulch can be used to cover bare ground, cut down on weeds, and make low-care flowerbeds more inviting. **Commercial Property Owners** Landscaping is an important aspect of any commercial property. Quality landscaping can deliver a message about the business and enhance its reputation in the community. A well-maintained exterior can also make the business more inviting to attract customers. Of course, cost and efficiency are major concerns when it comes to commercial landscape maintenance. Properly mulched landscaping shows your business at its best. Professional mulch service is a low-cost way to control weeds, improve the aesthetics of your property, and keep your landscaping green and healthy. Mulch installers place mulch efficiently and neatly without impacting your business or leaving a mess. **Schools, Parks, and Daycares** Playground mulch doesn't just make a play area more attractive; it also offers a safe and protective surface for kids. The right mulch can prevent injuries if children fall from playground equipment for peace of mind and reduced liability concerns. It can also inhibit weeds on the playground and keep the space looking great year-round. Blown-in mulch is an easy and efficient way to mulch a large surface area. Qualified mulch installers can blow in certified playground mulch with fast installation in a single afternoon. **Landscapers** Landscapers have a lot on their hands. Running a business takes a lot of time and effort, but outsourcing some tasks can be a cost-saving measure that frees time for more important tasks. If you run a landscaping business, you can save time and money by outsourcing to a blow-in mulching company rather than doing your clients' jobs yourself. This is just a handful of examples of people and organizations that can benefit from professional blown-in mulching. Almost any property can benefit from mulch, whether it's used to accent and protect flowerbeds or provide a safe surface for a playground.

Virtually any type of property with landscaping, play areas, or common areas can benefit from mulch blowing services. Not sure if it's worth it to pay for mulch delivery? Here's what you should know.

Who Can Benefit from Mulch Blowing Services?

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There are dozens of types of mulch you can use in your landscape, but which is the right choice? The best type of mulch will depend on many factors, including where it will be used, how fast it decomposes, the look and texture you want, and much more. Here's a guide to help you choose the most appropriate mulch. **Organic Mulch** Organic mulch is usually best over inorganic options like gravel because it decomposes over time and adds nutrients to the soil. Organic mulch shouldn't be used everywhere. In low areas that stay damp, an organic mulch can retain too much water. This can encourage pests and it can cause plants to rot. Each type of organic mulch can accomplish different things, though. To encourage plant growth... Choose an aged organic mulch. This can improve the soil in your garden bed and encourage plant growth. This mulch, which has partially decomposed wood, will keep breaking down and add nutrients to your soil. To control weeds... Look for fresh mulch such as pine bark mulch, cedar mulch, or wood chips. This type of mulch can freshen the appearance of your flowerbeds, but it should only be used if you don't need to improve the soil. This makes it a good choice for mulching around shrubs and trees. It has not started to decompose yet like aged mulch so it will last longer. For long-lasting color... With most organic mulches, the color will turn gray after a year or even sooner. Mulch colored with a vegetable-based dye will offer very long-lasting color. This type of mulch has a red, red-brown, gold, or black color that can last for up to 3 years. For the longest life... If you want an organic mulch that will last as long as possible, a chunky mulch like pine bark nuggets is the best solution. The larger the pieces of bark, the longer the mulch will last before decomposing into smaller pieces. Fine mulch and shredded bark like hardwood, cypress, and cedar can decompose fairly quickly. If you choose large chunk mulch, you can expect it to last for 2-3 years. **Inorganic Mulch** Rock and gravel can be a good choice for some applications. If you have a garden area that is prone to getting washed out, such as near a downspout, it's a good idea to use inorganic mulch to stop erosion. Inorganic mulch can also be the best choice for low areas of your landscaping that can stay too damp with organic mulch. There are downsides with inorganic mulch. It won't add nutrients to your soil and it's not easy to switch out, even though it does last for a long time. Rock mulch can also get very hot. This can bake shallow roots, especially in sunny areas of the lawn. Need advice on choosing the right mulch? Not sure where to start? [GetMulch.com](https://getmulch.com/) can find a professional mulch installer that can help you choose a mulch based on where it will be installed and the types of plants you have.

There are dozens of types of mulch you can use in your landscape, but which is the right choice? The best type of mulch will depend on many factors, including

Posts in "Certified Playground Mulch"

Mulch, Rocks, Rubber: Choosing a Covering for Playgrounds

Who Can Benefit from Mulch Blowing Services?

How to Choose the Right Mulch for Your Landscape