Glass mulch can be used to create a beautiful design in rock gardens and landscaping and it helps the environment by recycling glass that might otherwise sit in a landfill.
Where to Use Glass Mulch
Glass mulch can be used in small amounts around potted plants to create sparkle and beauty. However, many homeowners are also using it in larger quantities to create landscape designs that might otherwise be hard to achieve. Companies have popped up that offer landscapes featuring recycled mulch made from glass. This mulch is tumbled, so does not have sharp or jagged edges, which makes it perfect for gardening. Imagine a beautiful waterfall fountain made of rocks that trailed into a vivid blue glass mulch that wraps around your house and creates the look of a river. With glass mulch, your imagination is your only limit and you can create a truly unique look.
Benefits
There are a few benefits to using glass mulch in your landscape design.
- Environment: Recycled glass is good for the environment. By using one person's trash, you keep it out of the landfills. In fact, some trash dumps and recycling centers even give out tumbled glass mulch for free or very inexpensively. Your color choices may be more limited with these programs, but phone your city trash removal service to find out what might be available in your area.
- Artwork: Instead of a plain flowerbed, create visual works of art out of glass mulch. With so many different colors available, you can create anything from a sunburst to beautiful birds and flowers right within the confines of your landscaping.
- Regulate Soil: Mulch helps soil by regulating temperature and moisture. Glass mulch is probably more suitable for plants that grow best in sandy and rocky soils, but packing it loosely can make it adaptable to any environment or plant.
Drawbacks
There are some drawbacks to using recycled glass in your gardening.
- Cost: Tumbled glass mulch can be pretty expensive in most cases. Although the overall effect is absolutely stunning, the initial cost output can be prohibitive for many budgets. It is probably best to keep the use of glass mulch to small spaces for this reason.
- Upkeep: Debris and dirt can "muddy" up the look of the mulch fairly quickly. Be prepared to blow out leaves and debris and to hose down the mulch regularly to keep the colors looking fresh and vibrant. The good news is that the colors tend to not fade as quickly as wood mulch, so although the investment is high, you should have vibrant colors for many seasons to come.
- Limitations in Plant Types: Some plants cannot handle the extra weight and heat generated by glass mulch, so you'll have to choose which plants you place in the mulch very carefully. Again, it is probably best to limit how much area is covered with the mulch made from tumbled glass for this reason.
One way to get around some of these issues is to build up small raised boxes in your garden to hold the glass mulch. There is no need to place plants in the mulch at all, as it is eye catching on its own. However, a small pot with a plant spilling over onto the glass can be captivating.
Curb appeal is one of the most important aspects to gardening around your home. Using items like rubber mulch or glass mulch can be much more durable and last longer than wood mulch. Glass mulch can add a unique factor that makes your house stand out from the others on the block. Plan your design carefully and your unique and durable mulch made of glass is sure to be a hit.
