What Can Happen if You Don’t Practice Mulch Maintenance?

Thinning

As your mulch ages, parts of it can be swept away by rain or lost in high winds. There will also be natural attrition from traffic, as the mulch sticks to shoes, clothing, and vehicles before it is carried away. Also, as the mulch begins to decay, it can break apart. All of this can result in areas where the mulch is thin and less effective.

Color Fading

Over time, it is natural for the color of your mulch to fade from sunlight, rain, and natural decay. Since the process happens slowly, you may not notice the change, but adding fresh mulch can renew the rich color that you chose for your landscaping bed or playground in the first place.

Weeds

While mulch will do a great job of preventing weed growth for some time, eventually that will start to fade. Over time, seeds from other plants can get into the mulch and make their way to the topsoil. This is especially true as your mulch begins to thin and it becomes easier for weeds to catch sunlight.

How to Care for Mulch

Replenishing

One of the most effective ways to perform mulch maintenance is to replenish it with a fresh supply. This will allow you to return the color and thickness of your mulch to keep it looking great and prevent weeds from growing. Depending on how long it’s been since the mulch was installed, where it is being used, and how much traffic it is getting, you may not need to fully replace all the mulch. If you’re just looking for a boost to color and thickness, you can add a fresh layer of mulch on top of the area.

Raking

Regularly raking your mulch is a good way to prevent the growth of mold by exposing the lower layers to the sun and air to dry out. It also creates paths for water to seep through the mulch and into the ground, instead of collecting in the mulch itself. Raking will also help break up clumps and keep the mulch from pilling around your plants.

Weeding

Weeds can spread fast, which is why it’s important to get rid of weeds quickly when they turn up in your mulch. You can help prevent the growth of weeds with landscaping fabric and kill them with herbicides or by pulling them out by their roots. 

How Often Should You Perform Playground Surface Maintenance?

It is especially important for schools, municipalities, and other organizations that are in charge of playgrounds to perform regular mulch maintenance. Some schools choose to skip a year of maintenance to save money, but that can cause significant problems. Not only will the mulch not look good, but it can lead to a lawsuit due to unsafe conditions.

Skipping a year of maintenance is also unlikely to save any money. You will likely end up paying double the cost to replenish your mulch the following year because it has fallen so far behind.

In order to keep the playground safe, we recommend that you perform thorough yearly mulch maintenance in the spring and fall to prevent mold, foreign objects, and thinning mulch from becoming a hazard on the playground. Much typically degrades at a rate of one inch per year, but the amount of maintenance you’ll need to perform will depend on the amount of foot traffic that your playground has. For instance, a middle school will need more regular maintenance than a preschool.

The post Why You Need Regular Mulch Maintenance appeared first on Superior Groundcover.

How to Care for Hydroseeding: Preparation

The best time to hydroseed a lawn is during a period of moderate weather. We recommend late spring or early fall to avoid too much water or heat.

Before hydroseeding your lawn, it’s a good idea to spray for weeds at least a few weeks before the slurry is applied. You may also grade and rake the soil to improve drainage and eliminate rough patches. However, a good hydroseeding service will take care of these steps for you.

If the land isn’t hospitable for new grass, you could till the soil or have new topsoil installed. At Superior Groundcover, we perform free soil examinations to see if the topsoil of your lawn meets the right conditions for hydroseeding to take hold. If the soil conditions aren’t quite right or the slope of the land is particularly steep, we may recommend Terraseeding® as an alternative. This process mixes grass seed with new topsoil that protects it and facilitates its growth.

Hydroseeding Aftercare

How Often to Water Hydroseed?

The most important part of hydroseeding aftercare is making sure that it gets enough water. We recommend keeping a regular hydroseeding watering schedule for about 4–6 weeks after the initial application. Unless it rains, you’ll want to water the lawn up to three times a day for 5–15 minutes. During particularly hot days, especially during a drought, you may want to water your lawn four to five times a day.

However, be careful not to overwater your lawn. If you see standing water on the lawn, it’s probably too wet. You should also avoid hydroseeding your lawn late in the evening since the grass won’t absorb the water at night. Too much standing water can choke the grass and increase the likelihood of attracting pests and diseases. For the best hydroseeding aftercare, water your hydroseed in the early morning, late morning, and afternoon.

After the 4–6-week period has passed, you can cut back on your hydroseeding watering schedule. But you can still water your lawn regularly to encourage healthy growth.

How Long Can Hydroseed Go Without Water?

A hydroseeded lawn should never go more than a day without watering. If the hydroseeding dries out, it will start to die and need another application. If you plan on being gone for a day or more, you should set up a timed sprinkler system or ask a friend or neighbor to water the lawn for you.

When to Fertilize Hydroseed?

After the initial application of hydroseed, we recommend you apply starter fertilizer about every three weeks for the first two to three months. The type of fertilizer you use should match the type of hydroseeding that has been placed. Talk with your material placement provider for the best recommendation for your lawn.

How Long for Hydroseeding to Grow?

You should see hydroseeding start to grow after 5–7 days after the dye has faded away. However, the exact timeframe for hydroseeding to grow will depend on the climate, seed mixture, and watering schedule. 

How Long After Hydroseeding Can You Walk on It?

You shouldn’t walk on your lawn for at least a month after it has been hydroseeded. At that time, if the grass looks strong, thick, and healthy, it is safe to walk on. If it looks like it is still trying to develop in some places, you may want to wait another week or two.

When Can I Mow Hydroseed?

You should be able to mow your grass soon after it is safe to walk on, which is about 4–6 weeks after the application. Your grass should be around two or three inches tall the first time you mow it. You don’t want to let the grass get too tall before mowing, since that can damage it as well.

How to Choose a Hydroseeding Service

If you want a healthy, great-looking lawn, you’ll need to choose a good hydroseeding service. The team at Superior Groundcover has decades of experience applying hydroseed with the latest technology and equipment. 

Before applying the hydroseed slurry, we’ll grade the lawn to enable even, full coverage of seed that will penetrate the lawn. We also use a long hose that allows us to apply the hydroseed exactly where it needs to go without driving onto fragile areas of your lawn. 

We tailor our seed for each project site, whether it’s an athletic field, roadside right-of-way, or residential lawn. Our team will apply fertilizers and tackifiers to promote healthy growth, and we’ll take care of the cleanup. Once the job is done, we’ll give you our in-depth recommendations for how to care for the hydroseed on your lawn.

Get a Free Quote on Hydroseeding

Interested in getting your property hydroseeded? Reach out to the team at Superior Groundcover for a free quote.

The post Hydroseeding Aftercare: Tips and Recommendations appeared first on Superior Groundcover.

What Is a Mulch Sprayer?

A blower truck is able to carry a large amount of material and apply it directly where it needs to go using a large hose with air blowing through it. This allows the trucks to avoid driving onto your lawn and disturbing the grass, soil, and landscaping. It also allows a small team to complete a material placement job that might have taken an entire day in just a couple of hours.

When Are Mulch Blower Services Used?

Blower trucks can be used with a variety of materials, including mulch, bark, or engineered wood fiber (EWF). At Superior Groundcover we use blower trucks to place sand and certain types of soil. We also use them for our Terraseeding® service, which injects grass seed into the soil, mulch, or compost as it is being placed. Terraseeding allows us to plant the seeds and automatically protect them, which is perfect for areas where it may be difficult for grass to grow.

The Advantages of Using a Mulch Blower Truck

Versatility

The hose of a blower truck allows our team to apply material in hard-to-reach places, including inside crawlspaces and underneath playground equipment. We often apply commercial bark, mulch, and other materials at school districts, parks, businesses, and rental properties. Residential applications include gardens, landscapes, and playgrounds.

Speed

A blower truck can apply and evenly distribute your materials in a fraction of the time it would take to do it the old-fashioned way. Our teams can finish up the job within just a few hours, minimizing the disruption to your school, business, or home.

Efficiency

Using a dump truck, wheelbarrow, and hand tools to deliver and install mulch often leads to a lot of wasted material that gets lost during the process. Using a blower truck not only saves time but also makes sure the material is placed exactly where it needs to go and makes cleanup a breeze.

Mulch Blowing Services Near You

Wondering if Superior offers mulch blower truck services near you? We have one of the largest fleets of blower trucks in the Midwest, and we serve every municipality metropolitan area in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Our fleet allows us to respond to even large-scale projects quickly and effectively.

Why Choose Superior Groundcover?

When Superior Groundcover, Inc. was established in 2000, we brought the first Express Blower® to West Michigan. Since then, we’ve established an expert material placement team that believes in building strong relationships through high-quality work and excellent customer service.

Reviews

“I have worked with Superior Groundcover for over 10 years, they have helped my company install thousands of yards of woodbark/mulch. They are efficient, take care of the details, and competitive in their pricing. I would highly recommend them.”—Jamin D.

“Great company to work with! We have used them for hydro-seeding and mulch installation. Professional, dependable, and efficient with great quality.”—Brent S.

“I use these guys every year to install my bark. They are very professional, friendly, and dependable. Very nice group of people to work with!”—Travis K.

Looking for Blow-in Mulch Near You?

Ready to order a mulch blower truck for your project? Reach out to our team for a free quote.

The post Why Use a Mulch Blower Truck? appeared first on Superior Groundcover.

What Causes Great Lakes Shoreline Erosion?

Strong winds, intense rainstorms, and heavy waves cause a steady amount of erosion along the Great Lakes. 

Gusts of wind can blow away sand and soil that protects the roots of local plants. Those plants hold lower levels of the soil in place, and if they die away, the soil will become even more vulnerable to erosion from wind. 

Heavy rains and flooding can wash away sand and soil from the shoreline and carry it out into the lakes. Strong waves and chunks of ice along the shoreline can also steadily break off pieces of the beach and carry them away.

Is Great Lakes Erosion Getting Worse?

Commercial and residential development along the Great Lakes has led to increased erosion since it removes plants that protect the shoreline. The effects of erosion from the lakes themselves are also much larger when the water level is higher. 

Over the last 10 to 15 years, the water levels of the Great Lakes dropped to extreme lows before going up to record highs. While the water levels have subsided in recent years, there’s no guarantee that the trend will continue. Scientists say that climate change will continue to influence the water levels of the lakes and lead to an increase in flooding events. These factors may make it difficult to predict erosion in Michigan and neighboring states over the coming years.

The Environmental Impact of Erosion in Michigan

The shoreline of the Great Lakes fosters a rich ecosystem where fish, birds, insects, amphibians, and other creatures make their habitats and feed. The shoreline provides a place for fish to spawn and hide, frogs to lay eggs, and birds to feed on underwater plants. 

Erosion can chip away at these natural habitats and destroy the plants that these animals need for their food and habitat. The sediment that is washed into the lakes can also muddy the waters and interfere with aquatic wildlife. 

Poorly designed and implemented efforts to prevent or walk back erosion can also have negative impacts on the local environment. For instance, steel sea walls may protect the beach from erosion, but they also force the energy from the lakes’ waves downward, which causes lake-bed scouring beneath the surface of the water. 

Beach nourishment must also be done carefully by trained professionals to avoid hurting local wildlife. If done incorrectly, beach nourishment can disrupt nesting areas and bury plants. The wrong kind of sand can also disrupt local wildlife by changing the pH level of the beach.

The Human Impact of Great Lakes Erosion

As many residents saw during the record-high water levels of the past few years, erosion can have a profound impact on the homes and businesses along the Great Lakes. Erosion can strike quickly, especially for seasonal residents of the lakeshore who may not realize how bad the situation is until it’s too late.

Many homes were threatened, damaged, or destroyed due to erosion collapsing the ground beneath them. Not to mention the loss of docks, decks, boathouses, and other structures along the water’s edge. Many residents can no longer enjoy their beaches the way they once did, as the erosion has broken pieces away to leave steep and dangerous cliffs.

There are less obvious impacts of erosion as well, such as the buildup of sediment along the lake bed, which requires expensive dredging to fix or else the areas become dangerous for ships and boats that travel them.

Great Lakes Erosion Control from Superior

Superior Groundcover provides a wide range of Great Lakes erosion control services that protect and promote the local ecosystem. Our services include seeding and composting as well as planting dune grass to encourage the growth of vegetation that will prevent erosion.

We can also provide beach nourishment with our sand installation services and geotextile tubes that provide a barrier against further erosion. We use SOX Erosion SolutionsTM that provide a stable place for plants to take root and grow, which helps build new habitats for wildlife.

Get a Free Quote from Superior

Ready to start building erosion control solutions for your property? Reach out to our team to find out how Superior Groundcover can help.

The post The Environmental Need for Erosion Control on Lake Michigan appeared first on Superior Groundcover.

Learn the advantages of ordering a slinger truck to complete your installation, and find out if one is available for crushed stone delivery near you.

What Is a Stone Slinger Truck?

A slinger truck has a large bed that it uses to transport aggregate materials such as stone, compost, or sand, and a long mechanical arm used to “sling” the material where it needs to go. The arm uses a high-speed conveyor belt to safely and effectively place the material precisely within a specific area.

This significantly cuts back on the time and manual labor required to place the stone. It also allows the truck to send the material to places that would otherwise be hard to reach, such as crawlspaces, and it ensures a professional, even placement of the material. 

Slinger Trucks vs. Blower Trucks: What’s the Difference?

While slinger trucks use a fast-moving conveyor belt to send materials to their destination, blower trucks use pneumatic equipment to send air and materials through a large plastic tube to distribute it. Blower trucks are used to install mulch, green roofs, sand, and other materials.

How Far Can a Stone Slinger Reach?

A stone slinger truck can place materials up to 90 feet from the back of a truck. Control over the different angles of the conveyor belt and the speed at which it moves allow for accurate placement of the materials.

Why Use a Stone Slinger Truck?

Speed

Slinger trucks can finish stone delivery and installation much faster than using a dump truck and wheelbarrow or front-end loader. By providing fast installation, you can ensure minimal disruption to the surrounding area and allow normal activities to resume in just a few hours.

Versatility

Whether you need to fill a pool, crawlspace, or driveway, a slinger truck will place the materials exactly where they need to go. Direct placement of the materials also minimizes the impact on the environment and prevents damage to the lawn that could be caused by using other vehicles.

Efficiency

Using a slinger truck for stone delivery and other services helps prevent the loss of materials by ensuring everything goes where it needs to go. This cuts needless waste and makes cleanup much easier. 

Our Landscape Stone Delivery & Installation Services

Superior Groundcover has one of the largest fleets in the Midwest, which allows us to take on major commercial and civic projects. The teams that work our slinger trucks are also highly dedicated, experienced, and professional. They will prep the area before applying the materials and complete a thorough cleanup before they are done.

Materials Our Slinger Trucks Install

Our fleet of slinger trucks can install materials up to two-and-a-half inches in size, including:

• Pea-stone
• Foundation drainage pea-stone
• Crushed concrete
• Topsoil
• Compost
• Fill sand
• Beach sand

Is Crushed Stone Delivery Available Near Me?

Superior Groundcover offers stone delivery and installation in Michigan and northern Indiana. To find out if we offer stone delivery near you, check out the available service areas on our website.

Order Stone Delivery & Installation Today

Looking to order a slinger truck for a fast and professional stone delivery and installation? Let us know, and we’d be happy to give you a quote on our services.

The post The Advantages of Slinger Trucks for Stone Delivery & Installation appeared first on Superior Groundcover.

What Is Beach Grass?

Beach grass is a resilient plant that grows in clumps that reach between two and three feet high. It is highly effective in growing in sandy areas because it creates stems that reach underground and spread to create new plants. It can also go for long periods of time without being watered and requires almost no maintenance. Because of this, beach grass is a popular choice for preventing the erosion of sand.

Dune Grass vs. Beach Grass: What’s the Difference?

There are actually multiple names for the same type of plant. It is sometimes called beach grass, dune grass, or Marram grass. It is perhaps most commonly known as beach grass, but many customers and businesses also refer to it as dune grass. We use both names at Superior Groundcover.

Where Can I Buy Beach Grass?

That depends on how much you need. You can pick up some dune grass at a local gardening store. But if you’re working on a larger project, it might be best to contact a professional company with a more expansive stock that can also provide dune grass planting services.

How to Plant Beach Grass

If you’ve decided to plant beach grass on your own, the process can be challenging, but it is possible. You’ll need a shovel or spade, some fertilizer, and a bit of water.

We recommend you plant each clump, or “culm,” of dune grass about a foot-and-a-half apart from the others to allow them to grow and expand. If you’ve been experiencing significant erosion, it’s better to place them about a foot apart to help secure the soil. You’ll want to place the grass about eight inches into the sand to allow it to gain a solid foothold. Once the grass has been planted, you should pack down the surrounding sand to hold it in place.

Afterward, you’ll want to give the grass some water and nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Apply fertilizer about once every month or two, and cut back on the amount of fertilizer by approximately half once the grass has fully established itself in the sand.

When Should I Plant Beach Grass?

The best time for planting new dune grass is during the fall and spring, when the weather is cool but not so cold that the soil is frozen. This gives the grass enough time to establish itself and absorb moisture from the spring and fall rain seasons before any summer droughts. However, fully mature beach grass that has been grown in a pot can be planted during the summer.

Our Beach Grass Planting Services

Dune grass roots are brittle and should be carefully planted to ensure the plant’s longevity and success. If you want to ensure that your grass is planted correctly and give it the best chance to protect your sand from erosion, we recommend you have it professionally planted.

Superior Groundcover offers fast and affordable dune grass installation services for residential and commercial properties, as well as national parks. Our team will clean and prep the area and add additional sand with our blower trucks as necessary. We use grass root plugs freshly harvested from inland sand and replant them at your site. We also offer more mature beach grass that can be planted in the summer and requires less maintenance.

In addition to beach grass planting, Superior Groundcover has several other erosion control services, especially along lakeshores in Michigan. They include beach nourishment, dune restoration, and SOX Erosion Solutions.

Get a Free Quote

Looking for professional beach grass planting services? Contact Superior Groundcover and our expert team can quickly plant grass that will show healthy growth and prevent erosion on your property.

The post Beach Grass Planting in Michigan appeared first on Superior Groundcover.

There are a wide range of projects that may benefit from having sand delivered, and it is important to choose a sand delivery service that will meet your needs.

Commercial Sand Projects

Pool Filling

Sand is a popular choice for filling in the space left when an inground pool has been removed. It is a better choice than dirt, which takes far longer to settle and can lead to an unstable foundation. Sand can also be mixed with concrete to further mitigate settling.

Sand, however, can sometimes retain too much water and expand slightly, which can push up against the pool walls. That’s why some people prefer to use stone for pool backfilling instead. 

The staff at Superior Groundcover would be happy to discuss both options with you, including quotes for each, so that you can make an informed decision.

Beach Nourishment

Despite seeing waters recede from the coastline, the beaches of Lake Michigan are still experiencing erosion that is threatening homes and businesses. Fortunately, a sand delivery service can replace some of that lost sand and buy your property time to put erosion protection measures in place. 

While poorly installed sand can cause problems for local wildlife and prevent new vegetation from growing, an experienced team can deliver sand and install it without hurting the environment.

If you’re adding sand to a beach area, the team at Superior Groundcover can supply sand with a similar grain size and chemical composition to ensure minimal environmental effects. Our blower and slinger trucks can also apply the sand exactly where it needs to go and distribute it evenly.

Some lakeside homeowners have found themselves just weeks away from suffering serious damage to their homes due to erosion. Working with a sand delivery service that has a large team and fleet can ensure that you’re able to get sand in time to make a difference.

Flood Protection

Sand can be an excellent choice to protect your home or business from flooding. But the amount of sand that you will need can stack up fast. If you’re planning to build a wall of sandbags that is three feet high and 10 feet long, you will need around 210 sandbags. If each bag uses around 40 pounds of sand, you’ll need at least 8,400 pounds of sand delivered to complete the job.

Playgrounds and Parks

One of the most popular uses of sand is for playgrounds and parks, particularly for areas such as volleyball courts and sandboxes. As long as it is several inches deep, sand can be a safe surface for children to play on. The area where the sand is installed will also need to have a border to hold it in place.

While sand has many benefits in parks and playgrounds, other material placement services such as mulch and engineered wood fiber are also great choices. 

Our Local Sand Delivery Service

Superior Groundcover can have sand delivered and professionally installed for your projects. There’s no need for shovels and wheelbarrows when you work with us. While other services will have a sand truck deliver the material and dump it at a nearby location, our team can use our blower and slinger trucks to install it within a matter of hours. 

Once we’re done, our staff will clean up the area, and you’ll be left with a professionally prepared yard, park, or beach.

How Much Does Sand Delivery Cost?

The cost of having sand delivered and installed will vary depending on the amount of sand needed and the location of the job. Our sand delivery service is headquartered out of Grand Rapids, MI, but we can complete jobs throughout the region.

Why Choose Superior Groundcover?

Our staff are known for their dedication, professionalism, and customer service. We have one of the largest fleets of slinger and blower trucks in the Midwest, and we can respond to a wide range of commercial projects.

The post Projects That Can Benefit from Having Sand Delivered appeared first on Superior Groundcover.

How to Backfill a Fiberglass Pool

While the pool will be fun once it is complete, backfilling a fiberglass pool can be hard work. You’ll need to fill in just the right amount of material to support the pool without putting in too much (or the wrong kind) since that could damage the pool over time. 

One of the best ways to backfill a fiberglass pool is to use a professional installer. Instead of using wheelbarrows and shovels, a professional material placement team can use blower and slinger trucks to quickly and efficiently place the exact right amount of material exactly where it needs to go.

Sand vs. Gravel: What Do You Backfill a Pool With?

When backfilling a fiberglass pool, you have two main options: sand and gravel. Dirt is not a good choice to backfill a fiberglass pool because it can take weeks or even months to fully settle. It also doesn’t pack well, and it can shift and form gaps in the soil, which can harm the structure of the pool. On the other hand, dirt can be a good choice for backfilling the area after the pool has been removed.

Gravel is a popular choice for backfilling fiberglass pools because it is a stable material that is unlikely to shift over time like dirt. It also does not retain and react to water in the same way as sand. However, and it will depend on the job, gravel can be a more expensive material.

Sand is the other common choice because it does not leave any open space in the same way as gravel. If installed correctly, sand can compact quickly, and a mixture of concrete will also prevent it from settling over time. With sand, there can be the possibility that it will retain water and push into the pool walls, which can cause them to bulge.

Our Pool Backfill Services

While backfilling a fiberglass pool can be a DIY project, it isn’t recommended if you don’t have experience. It can be complex, time-consuming, and particularly costly if something goes wrong. Problems with drainage and settling are hard to detect at first, but they can lead to major headaches further down the line.

Superior Groundcover has a fleet of slinger and blower trucks that can backfill a fiberglass pool in just a few hours. Our professional team has extensive experience in material placement for pools and can place the right amount of material to secure and protect your pool for years to come.

How Much Does it Cost to Backfill a Pool?

The cost to backfill a pool will depend on several factors, including the material used and the size of the area that needs to be filled. It will also vary depending on if the delivery will also include the placement of the material. The staff at Superior Groundcover would be happy to give you a quote based on the needs of your project.

Pool Removal Backfilling Services

If maintaining your pool has become more trouble than it’s worth, or you want to clear out your yard for something else, you’ll need to refill the area. Superior Groundcover can also help with backfilling a fiberglass pool area after it has been removed. We can fill the space with dirt and then hydroseed the area to promote the growth of healthy new grass within just a few weeks.

Why Choose Superior Groundcover?

Superior Groundcover has more than 20 years of experience serving West Michigan and the greater region. We have one of the largest blower truck fleets in the country and have expanded our services to Indiana and Ohio. We provide a wide range of services to both commercial and municipal projects.

The post Tips for Backfilling a Fiberglass Pool appeared first on Superior Groundcover.

Is Rubber Mulch Better than Wood Mulch?

The Best Wood Mulch Available

EWF mulch (engineered wood fibers) is a specialized type of wood mulch that is created using only the pulpy interior wood fibers of a tree. Because this is less abrasive than traditional wood mulch with bark included, it’s the ideal wood mulch choice for playgrounds and other outdoor ground covering purposes. 

Cost of Rubber Mulch vs. Wood Mulch 

Engineered wood fibers are an organic substance, meaning that they are an affordable, abundant resource. In comparison to synthetic playground fill like rubber mulch, EWF mulch doesn’t cost as much. PIP rubber mulch, crumb rubber mulch, and other synthetic turf materials will have a higher upfront cost, whether the material is new or recycled. This is because the process of rubber creation is much more involved than sourcing organic wood fibers. 

Environmental Impact 

As an artificial substance, rubber can take many years to break down. Recycled rubber mulch that has been created from other rubber products is a better alternative for the environment than new rubber, but it still won’t blend in with the natural ecosystem. Bits of rubber mulch may be found buried in soil years after the playground is removed.

A professional should be hired to remove the top layer of soil and get rid of all rubber particles after rubber mulch removal. Rubber mulch is often made from old tires, which can contain chemical pollutants and contaminate soil. Plants can be harmed by rubber mulch because heavy metals like zinc are released into the soil, which causes chlorosis. This is a condition in which leaves don’t produce enough chlorophyll, leaving them with discoloration and pale pigmentation.

EWF playground mulch blends into the surrounding ecosystem. This wood mulch replenishes soil when breaking down into fibrous particles, which can add valuable nutrients to your topsoil. It can also strengthen the structure of soil, making it easy to till. Nearby plants benefit from EWF mulch because the mulch prevents the loss of moisture in soil, and the increased soil quality allows vegetation to thrive. Wood mulch also absorbs rainwater, reducing the severity of playground flooding.

Longevity

Rubber mulch can last up to 20 years or more, but that isn’t necessarily a good thing. The inability to break down in the environment is a signifier of unnatural materials that are disruptive to surrounding ecosystems. The longevity of wood playground mulch is a few years shorter than rubber mulch, but it decomposes at a decent rate. Maintenance heavily impacts how long EWF mulch will last.

Appearance

The appearance of playground mulch is a significant feature for some when choosing between rubber mulch or wood mulch. Rubber mulch can come in a variety of artificial colors, but EWF playground mulch is a beautiful, natural brown designed to blend into the surrounding environment.

Maintenance

To maintain a healthy layer of mulch, EWF mulch should be replenished or topped off every couple of years, if not annually. Rubber mulch does not require any significant maintenance unless it is somehow damaged by spilled substances or if it develops mold. Mulch is a low-maintenance ground covering overall. 

Safety

Natural is always safer, and safety should be prioritized when considering the well-being of children. Recycled rubber mulch releases gaseous volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs. The release of these gases is accelerated by heat, so it is especially dangerous in the summer. VOCs can lead to health issues, such as nausea, liver and kidney damage, sinus irritation, and more. It is also suspected that they can be considered a carcinogen. 

Wood playground mulch, on the other hand, is a safe choice that will considerably reduce the impact of a fall without releasing harmful chemicals. EWF playground mulch offers more cushion than sand or gravel, minimizing injuries and providing superior shock absorption. 

EWF Mulch Installation Process

Get a Free Quote

Customers can contact our team at Superior Groundcover for a free estimate on their project. We can answer any questions you may have about EWF playground mulch and its maintenance. 

Choose Your Mulch Material

We have new and recycled EWF mulch. You can choose which you’d like to have in their playground. 

Enjoy One-Day Installation

Playground mulch installation won’t shut down your playground for more than a few hours. With the efficiency of our specialized Express Blower® trucks, we can install the mulch and let kids resume playing on your playground within the same day. 

Superior Groundcover’s EWF Playground Mulch Installation

When deciding between rubber vs. wood mulch playground installation, the best choice should be clear. Though rubber mulch might last long and come in different colors, EWF mulch is the most beneficial form of wood mulch. It is a sound solution for environmental protection and the safety of children. Your playground’s wood mulch will cushion kids if they fall and result in a neat, presentable atmosphere for children to play in. Reach out to us for speedy EWF mulch installation services today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Mix Rubber Mulch with Wood Mulch?

When considering a rubber vs. wood mulch playground, some consider implementing a mixture of the two. If you plan on using rubber mulch, including a layer of EWF mulch over it is beneficial. This prevents the rubber from reaching high temperatures and minimizes the release of VOCs. 

Is Rubber Mulch a Fire Hazard?

Rubber mulch can be considered a fire hazard. A Consumer Reports test found that rubber mulch for playgrounds burns faster and is harder to put out than wood mulch. This is because rubber mulch often contains petroleum byproducts.

How Are Rubber Mulch and EWF Playground Mulch Made?

EWF mulch is created from the fibers inside a tree, not including its bark. This fiber is softer and provides a better cushion. Rubber mulch for playgrounds is most commonly created by shredding tires after removing metal and then dyeing the shredded bits. Other rubber materials can also be used to create rubber mulch.

The post Rubber Mulch vs. Wood Mulch Playground Benefits appeared first on Superior Groundcover.

What Is Hydromulch?

Hydromulch (also known as hydraulic mulch or hydroseeding) is the high-pressure application of a “slurry” mixture to vegetate ground and stop erosion. Seed, mulch, fertilizer, soil amendments, and water combine in a hydroseeding tank to create the perfect mixture. Once sprayed, germination occurs in just one to two weeks, resulting in healthy lawns and slopes.

Using Hydroseed Mulch for Easy Erosion Control

Beyond creating beautiful green lawns, hydroseed mulch can also be used as an easy method of erosion control. Fight back against erosion with hydraulic mulch in just three simple steps:

1. Evaluation: The first step is to test the soil and determine which slurry mix is the best option for your property.
2. Preparation: Leveling and tilling the land gives the hydraulic mulch the best chance of adhering to the land and growing deep roots.
3. Application: Our hydroseed trucks make it easy to spray the slurry with accuracy, avoiding big messes.

With proper follow-up care and maintenance, you’ll have thick, consistent groundcover in just a few weeks.

Benefits of Hydromulch

Easy Installation

One of the biggest benefits of hydroseeding is the simplicity of installation. After rough grading the land, professional hydroseeding crews can spray the hydromulch from their trucks without damage to the surrounding area. The high-pressure spray makes installation fast and easy.

Erosion control blankets, on the other hand, are cumbersome and time-consuming. Professionals have to line up seams, add staples, and extensively manicure the site. Rolling out blankets requires a lot of traipsing back and forth across the property for a less-effective erosion control solution.

No Tenting

Erosion control blankets use netting to keep everything in place. However, stronger plants can push against the nets, resulting in “tenting.” This pulls the nutrient-rich mulch away from the seeds that are still growing, creating spotty coverage.

Because hydraulic mulch doesn’t rely on netting for secure coverage, there is no threat of tenting. Instead, the hydromulch makes 100% contact with the soil, and all plants grow together, benefiting from the nutrient-rich slurry.

Environmentally Friendly

Some erosion control blankets are labeled “biodegradable,” but that’s only part of the story. Even the most environmentally-friendly erosion control blankets won’t break down for a while. In the meantime, the netting can prevent plants from growing and create an unfortunate trap for small animals, damaging the local environment.

Hydromulch is the most eco-friendly erosion control solution on the market. Safe for plants and animals, the slurry is a nontoxic mix that integrates seamlessly into the local environment.

More Savings

Because hydroseeding is less time-consuming than installing erosion control blankets, it is also more cost-effective. An easier process means fewer laborers and faster setup, resulting in a smaller bill.

More Effective

Not only are erosion control blankets more difficult to install, but they are also less effective than hydromulch. To properly install an erosion control blanket, the land must be smoothed, maximizing contact between the ground and the blanket. This causes seed to migrate and soil to shift, creating spotty coverage and potentially leading to further degradation.

With hydroseed mulch, the high-pressure application of the slurry into the roughened terrain ensures that the seeds take root where intended.

Safer Solution

At Superior Groundcover, we design our erosion control solutions to be as safe as possible for both workers and the surrounding environment. Instead of climbing steep slopes with commercial-grade nets and staples, workers can apply hydraulic mulch at a distance from the safety of our hydroseed trucks. The high-pressure spray is safe for our professional team to use and results in less disturbance to the surrounding environment, protecting nature as well as our employees.

What’s the Best Groundcover for Erosion Control on Your Property?

Hydromulch is just one of many erosion control solutions that may be right for your property. To determine the best method for your land, you’ll want to consider a few factors.

Type of Soil

Hydroseeding works best in certain types of soil. For a small fee, Superior can conduct a soil test on your property to determine if it is compatible with seed growth. This test will also help us determine the best mulch for erosion control to increase the likelihood of successful germination.

Cause of Erosion

Erosion can occur due to a variety of factors. Land that is adjacent to a body of water, such as a shoreline, lake bank, river bank, or pond shore, might benefit more from SOX erosion control solutions or geotextile tubes than hydroseeding.

SOX erosion control products are made from high-density, double-knitted polyethylene mesh and are sock-like in appearance. Unlike erosion control blankets, SOX products are filled with organic material that encourages plant growth through its porous structure. 

Geotextile tubes are an excellent solution for beaches. Their UV-stabilized geotextile fabric is designed to withstand the elements, including high-impact waves.

Slope Severity

Hydroseed can be used on both gradual and steep slopes, although it is best to evaluate each site to determine which erosion application is best. SOX erosion control solutions are another effective option for steeper slopes, while steep sand dunes may benefit from dune grass installation. 

Superior Erosion Control Solutions

At Superior Groundcover, we’re proud to offer the best erosion control solutions for all sorts of properties. For erosion problems that require hydromulch, we make use of Profile erosion and vegetative solutions. Our hydroseed trucks make installation for both commercial and residential properties a breeze.

Get the Best Groundcover for Erosion Control with Superior

The fight against erosion can feel impossible, especially when dealing with the tangled web of erosion control blanket installation. Protect your property more effectively with the simple installation of hydromulch. Our hydraulic mulch erosion control solution will turn your degrading lawn or slope into beautiful, healthy property covered in green. 

Reach out today to see how Superior Groundcover can help you protect your property from erosion. We’re proud to offer erosion control solutions in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and surrounding Midwest states.

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