Mulch comes in many forms and colors. However, there are some forms of mulch that you probably would never consider to be mulch in the typical sense of the word. These forms of black landscaping mulch in stores are made of the following materials. Also, discover the reasons why these more unusual forms of mulch are used.
Volcanic Rock
Volcanic rock is hard and filled with porous holes. The holes hold onto precipitation and water from watering your plants. The black color of the volcanic rock heats up the water to steam and evaporates it, thereby keeping all the leaves and flowers above the rock moist and fresh. When the rock is completely dry, it just heats up and keeps plants hot during colder weather.
Plastic
This looks like sheets of black garbage bags, and it feels a lot like it, too. The plastic covers the entire ground space where you are planting, and you cut through the plastic to insert your plants, seeds, bulbs, and flowers into the ground. The plastic holds moisture in the ground close to the roots so that you do not have to water as frequently, and the heat collected and reflected off the plastic provides warmth on days when the sun is not out and the weather is cooler.
Rubber or Recycled Tires
Rubber may be sheets of rubber or chopped up bits of recycled tires. Either of these mulches holds a lot of water and gradually trickle it down to the soil. It is akin to being able to slowly water all of your landscaping throughout the day without actually being present and sprinkling the plants with water. Like other black mulches, the rubber variety also collects heat and keeps plants warm.
Different Mulches for Different Plants
People trying to grow strawberries will often use black plastic because it is easiest to insert young strawberry plants through the plastic into the earth. People growing bulb flowers will often use the rubber mulch because it is the easiest material for bulb flowers to push their way through. Bushes will grow well through the volcanic rock. Each of these materials works best for different things you want to plant and grow. If you are not sure which kind to buy and use in your yard, ask a professional landscaper for suggestions. Better yet, ask the professional landscaper for actual help by hiring him/her to do it for you.
