Child-Safe Mulch
As homeowners across the country begin to beautify their yards and gardens for the summer season, many will turn to mulching flower beds to keep weeds at bay while giving a finished look to the home backyard. However, while many of us are deciding what type and color of mulch we want, one factor we should also consider is, is it child-safe mulch?
WHAT MAKES A MULCH CHILD SAFE?
Mulch for your garden is used to reduce weeds, regulate temperature, and add nutrients to the soil. However, mulch for a playground or child’s play area is much different. The mulch we use in our gardens can contain chemicals and pesticides that children should not be exposed to. In addition to the chemical components, your playground mulch needs to withstand a lot more activity.
Many parents often think that a soft, grassy surface is the way to go for a child’s play area as it gives those tiny feet a soft place to run, jump, and roll. While in the beginning the grass will be soft, as time progresses that grass is going to get compacted and the soil will likely be exposed.
However, surfaces made of sand, rubber mulch, or wood mulch can provide the similar soft surface that is much more durable as time goes on than a grassy area.
TYPES OF CHILD-SAFE MULCH
In general, the most common types of child-safe mulch are sand, wood, and rubber--but all three come with stipulations.
Sand can be a good choice for a child’s play area, as it does absorb shock from impact. However, under the sun's rays, it can become very hot to the touch for young children. Also, sand is hard to keep clean as animals will see it as their own large litter box. Further, with strong winds, the sand can blow away, causing a large mess.
Wood is also another option, but you need to see how the wood is treated for mulching. Tough wood mulches include those made of chestnut, hickory, beech, and oak. This type of wood mulch can be made of shredded wood or chipped bark and tends to stay in place regardless of weather conditions. Typically, wood mulch is safe for kids’ play areas as long as the wood doesn't contain any harmful chemicals. In addition, there are soft wood varieties made specifically for play areas like playground mulch. This type is tumbled to avoid sharp edges and splintering and is not color treated, to keep it natural. Before buying and spreading, ask your Pioneer Landscape Centers professional what's in the mulch and where you intend to use it.
Finally, rubber mulch is made of, in essence, chopped and shredded tires. While it is not made of natural products, it is commonly used in turf for sports fields, tracks, golf courses, etc. Though it is an option, our sales staff can help you find an alternative to meet your needs.
NEED CHILD-SAFE MULCH? CALL PIONEER LANDSCAPE CENTERS!
We all want our kids to be safe from harm, especially when playing in our own backyards! If you are looking for child-safe mulching options, call the landscaping professionals of Pioneer Landscape Centers. We can assess your needs and ensure your kids are safe!