Glass Mulch for Landscaping

More and more people are using glass mulch as an alternative to more traditional bark or gravel mulches. The use of glass mulch in landscaping is appealing to those who support recycling. People would rather see beer bottles and other discarded glass end up as glass mulch instead of thrown into a dump where they sit for years and years. Instead of being taken to the dump, old glass is ground into nugget-sized pieces and tumbled to remove any sharp edges. Sometimes pigment is added to produce glass mulch into a wide variety of colors.

Another environmental reason people are turning to glass mulch is that it doesn’t absorb water like wood mulch does, therefore more water gets to the plants and less water is needed when watering plants. Glass mulch also doesn’t break down like wood does and therefore you don’t need to continually replace the mulch every few years.

Finally, because glass mulch comes in a variety of colors, people are able to landscape more creatively than they could with brown or red wood mulch or gray gravel. Some people use blue glass mulch in order to form a stream or pond in the middle of their landscaping. Others have used glass mulch to make designs or logos to accent their plants. Glass mulch is a versatile, environmentally friendly alternative to bark and gravel mulch that is gaining popularity among many people.

Glass Mulch Application

Glass mulch is a great way to beautify a landscape. Many people now use it to mulch planting beds, line walkways, and create a bit of color in their landscape. For some, it is used as a touch of whimsy, for others, glass mulch becomes practical in a rock garden or pathway.

Whatever the type of application for glass mulch, one should be careful about how they place it. First of all, glass mulch should be installed deep enough that there is no weed or grass growth allowed to penetrate through. It might also be helpful to lay a weed barrier down.

Secondly, decide on the colors and designs you want - and don’t overdo it. Glass mulch is beautiful on its own, and a lot of colorful plants in and around it can make it look cluttered. Simple textures with single colors work best with glass mulch. The mulch itself comes in various colors, and you will need to decide if you want to use a single color, or mix a few of them up.

Finally, plan to spend a small amount of time on upkeep of the area. Glass mulch looks the best when it can be blown free of leaves or debris regularly, but when placed properly it will save the homeowner time on maintenance in the long run.

Go Green with Glass Mulch

Every year, over 40 billion glass bottles are made and sold.  Most of them get used once and then end up in landfills, taking up valuable space.  Glass can now be broken down, tumbled until the pieces are smooth, and then reused as mulch.  This industry has shown great strides in the recycling of old materials to make new ones, and the idea has really caught on in our country.  Many people today are looking to buy glass mulch for a variety of landscape projects.

Glass mulch comes in many different colors, and can be used to make beautiful walkways, coverings for flowerbeds, and bases for fish ponds or fountains.  It can be mixed into concrete to form garden paths or patio tiles.  Another new way to use glass mulch is to place it in the bottom of a fire pit, and then use natural gas fuel to burn a flame above the glass.  This can be customized to fit the landscape, and can be a great focal point for outdoor living. 

The sky is the limit when it comes to designing with glass mulch.  It can be used also for craft projects such as picture frame borders and to add some color and texture to plastic or glass projects.  Around the house projects include covering the floor of aquariums or terrariums, and filling the base of vases with a combination of mulch colors. 

All it takes is a little imagination to beautify a house and yard with glass mulch.

Going Green

Everyone is talking about how important it is to conserve our resources. The following 5 tips will help you manage your yard without putting a strain on the environment.

1. Organic fertilizer: You may like the results that come with fertilized plants and flowers, but synthetic fertilizer can be harmful to both the environment and people. Instead, choose a good organic fertilizer that uses things such as alfalfa meal.

2. Glass mulch: In some areas of your yard, glass mulch can add great texture and color. This glass mulch is made from pieces of recycled glass that have been tumbled until they are smooth. Glass mulch is growing in popularity because of the positive effects it has on the environment, as well as the modern look it portrays.

3. Compost: A compost pile is an easy way to recycle old food and plant matter to make a natural fertilizer. Find a location away from the traffic of your yard to add a compost pile.

4. Rain barrel: Set up rain barrels to collect and store rain water as it falls. Often, they can be placed under a rain spout to catch all that falls off of the roof. Rain water is great for watering outdoor plants.

5. Xeriscape: In some cases “going green” can actually mean giving up the green space. If plants are hard to grow in areas of your yard, rather than use a lot of water and resources to get them to grow, think of replacing them with rocks, pebbles, or glass mulch that are low maintenance.

Do It Yourself Landscape Projects

Many people today are trying to save money because of the current economy. For those that take pride in the way their yard looks, there are ways to go about maintaining a beautiful landscape without spending too much hard-earned money. One way is to do the work yourself. Countless websites and television shows give tips to complete certain projects that increase a house’s curb appeal. Investigate some of these, or check your local library for do it yourself books that will walk you through the process.

Be aware, that some projects will require more time and labor than others. Perhaps you will find it easy to enhance your area with some colored pebbles, or maybe some glass mulch will make a big difference with relatively little work. Other things, such as installing a patio with travertine pavers or making a cap rock planter, will be require you to have a carefully laid-out plan, a good eye for detail, and some knowledge about these types of materials. But after doing the research and finding the answers first, even beginners can take on and accomplish these projects.

Other things, such as designing the area and planning what plants and flowers will work best in certain areas, may be something that a professional could be consulted about, or you could ask at your local garden center. Once the plan is laid out and the work is done, more and more homeowners are now finding they can save money by maintaining their yard on their own.

Glass Mulch Becoming Popular in Landscaping

A new trend has made its way into the landscape arena, and Larry’s Cap Rock and Stone is proud to be a part of it. Recycled glass mulch is now a hit for decorating flowerbeds or gardens, and it is being featured by various designers every day.

The glass mulch is made from recycled glass shards that have been tumbled to make the edges smooth. They come in different colors, which have made them very popular among those looking for a little something extra for their landscaping.

With a little bit of planning and preparation, glass mulch can be practical for protecting plants and to cut down on dust, as well as provide a beautiful landscape. The colored mulch would be a great addition to complement simple plants and would add a bit of vibrancy among plain-colored foliage.

Virtually maintenance free, the glass mulch will only need to occasionally be blown clear of leaves and debris to maintain it. It is probably best used in an area without things like pine needles dropping or things that might become stuck among the glass. But overall, many projects this year across the country will be turned into a work of art with glass mulch. This type of decorating can be a welcome change to plain wood mulch that is so commonly used. With so many different possibilities of different color combinations and textures, glass mulch is bound to be seen more throughout the country soon.