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.

Glass Mulch Adds Color to Landscape

Maybe you’ve heard about a great new trend hitting landscaping projects – glass mulch.  Glass mulch is actually recycled pieces of glass (great for those trying to “go green”) that have been tumbled in order to make them smooth.  The glass comes in many different colors and can be a beautiful addition to any yard.

Glass mulch can be used in many different ways, depending on the look the designer is going for.  The versatility of this type of cover material is a big selling point for it.  For example, blue glass mulch can be used to create a dry stream bed, or to place around stepping stones along a path.  Or, this type of mulch can cover the area around drought plants to give some color, or in with a potted plant.

One thing that most people would agree is that when used in the right way, glass mulch can create a bit of whimsy in the landscape of a yard.  Sometimes designers will use glass like this to create pieces of color among the flower beds.  They can be placed in containers and placed at different heights for an attractive design.

Whatever the glass mulch is used for, it has many benefits.  The mulch is environmentally friendly, it won’t decompose and need to be replaced every year, and it doesn’t attract bugs.  With a little bit of enthusiasm and imagination, colored glass mulch can brighten up a yard.

Installing Pebble Tile

Pebbles can give a landscape a finished look.  The laying of loose pebbles around plantings can help keep moisture in the soil underneath, and adding pebbles around pavers for walkways can make the area look clean and finished.  Pebbles are also used in xeriscaping, to nicely fill an area in order to cut down on maintenance and water use.  Another great place in landscaping for pebbles is along waterfalls or running streams. 

Pebbles also come in tile form which allows the pebbles to be installed quickly and easily by almost anyone.  These tiles are great for covering walls, floors, tub surrounds, backsplashes, countertops, fireplace hearths, and even in creating fountains.  The list goes on and on and is as limitless as one’s imagination.  

The pebbles are attached to a mesh backing, so that many pebbles can be laid all at once.  The tiles are easy to place because the pebbles interlock to form a seamless pattern.  Pebble tiles are installed just like other tiles, in that they are placed on thinset mortar and then grouted.  It is recommended that a sealer be used before the grout, in order to prevent discoloration of the pebbles from the grout. 

There are many different types and color of pebbles, each adding character and texture to the project they are used in.  Few substances are used as often and by as many people as pebbles, and there are some really nice homes and landscapes out there that use pebbles and pebble tiles in beautiful ways.

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.

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is a growing trend in our country, especially in areas that don’t get much rain. But the techniques can be used anywhere as a way to conserve water. By using xeriscaping, a homeowner can cut down on the cost they spend on water and on labor to maintain green space.

It is important to plan out your xeriscaped lawn or have a professional do it for you before you begin. You will need to take into account the different needs you have for your property, such as play areas or vegetable gardens.

You can expect a xeriscaped lawn to have some grassy areas that are smaller and better maintained than a whole property full of grass. Choose the best area for your yard to sustain grass and put the turf there.

An irrigation system that is properly installed can conserve water, and be a part of xeriscaping. Drip systems work well and get the water more precisely to the areas you want watered. Run the system in the morning or at night to prevent evaporation of the water.

One of the main components to a xeriscaped project is the use of rocks or pebbles. Areas where things are hard to grow, like under a tree or in a high traffic area, can be completely covered with pebbles. Pebbles now come in a variety of sizes and colors to meet the needs of any landscaper. Pebbles require very little maintenance and will help cut down on water usage. Overall, pebbles are a great addition to a xeriscaped yard.

Recycled glass pebbles in stock for your design projects

Largest selection of recycled glass in South Florida. Recycled glass pebbles in stock for your design projects. Recycled architectural glass in a variety of colors and sizes.

Larry’s Cap Rock & Stone is going green. Our recycled glass mulch is available in 4 dazzling colors. Recycled glass is LEED certified. It is also available at the most competitive pricing in the United States. Recycled glass mulch provides a maintenance free modern landscape. Use it as an exposed aggregate or for decorative
ground cover.

The right combination of recycled glass rocks, plants, and careful planning can create a beautiful glass garden for your yard, business property, or even an indoor environment. Our proprietary production process produces recycled glass rocks that are lightly tumbled and safe to handle with bare hands. These recycled glass products also qualify for LEED credits. Larry’s Cap Rock & Stone offers architectural recycled glass at the most competitive prices in the USA.

Recycled architectural glass comes in a large variety of colors, sizes, and textures. We offer the sizes of recycled glass most suitable a variety of landscaping purposes. Recycled glass qualifies for LEED credits. LEED was created to define green building by establishing a common standard of
measurement.