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Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Tue. Jul. 21, 2009 12:49 am
by Jason B
I have black tanbark/mulch around all my beds. I love the black look, but it only lasts 2 years before I need to do it again. There are many lanscape places around here that sell rock, but noone has black rock. I thought about possibly using coal, which is black, and the only black rock I can find. Can I do this???? Will it hurt my tress/bushes? I'm in Harrisburg, PA. I was thinking maybe 1-2 inch pieces?
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Tue. Jul. 21, 2009 2:52 am
by Richard S.
It's been done before, be quite expensive though. When you get it it's going to be nice and shiny but that will quickly dull from exposure.
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Tue. Jul. 21, 2009 10:38 am
by Jason B
Thanks, but it has to be less than river rock, etc from a landscaping place I would think?
Would this hurt the trees and shrubs? Has anyone taken pics in other threads?
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Tue. Jul. 21, 2009 10:56 am
by Richard S.
I'm not going to say yes or not to if it will harm the bushes. I have no reason to believe it will though.
I had some call me once that wanted to order it for that purpose and I know it's been mentioned on here before.
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Tue. Jul. 21, 2009 11:03 am
by Jason B
Ok, thanks again. This seems to be my only choice if I want to replace my black tanbark/much with a black stone.
And advice on who to call in the Harrisburg, PA area?
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Mon. Jul. 27, 2009 9:08 am
by eelhc
http://www.mulchdye.com/
Just rake up the old mulch and other lawn waste and even out and dye it. Should give it longer life.
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Mon. Jul. 27, 2009 10:33 am
by samhill
I know some places carry chopped up tires for that use, they also use it on playgrounds.
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Mon. Jul. 27, 2009 11:01 am
by 009to090
When I lived out in Oklahoma, people used Lava-stone as landscaping material. It was easy to get out there, and came in muti-colors.
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Mon. Jul. 27, 2009 11:57 am
by eelhc
samhill wrote:I know some places carry chopped up tires for that use, they also use it on playgrounds.
Ugh!!! I hate that... what's wrong with peastone? I got a ~6" bed of peastone under my kids' playset and I think it's absolutely the best. Drains well, kids can play just after a rainstorm and not get dirty, natural, non-toxic, looks great...
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Mon. Jul. 27, 2009 12:19 pm
by coaledsweat
samhill wrote:I know some places carry chopped up tires for that use, they also use it on playgrounds.
A lot of places are removing the chipped up tires now, I forget why but it has problems.
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Mon. Jul. 27, 2009 12:39 pm
by 009to090
coaledsweat wrote:A lot of places are removing the chipped up tires now, I forget why but it has problems.
Use of shredded tires for playgrounds is questioned
Jun 8, 2009 1:41 PM
From The Chicago Tribune: For years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has endorsed the recycling of ground-up tires to cushion the surfaces of children's playgrounds and sports fields. Now, the agency is having second thoughts. EPA scientists are worried that they don't have enough information about potential health risks from chemicals in the rubber, which is popular because it decreases playground injuries and is low maintenance and weatherproof. The concerns are disclosed in internal agency documents about a study the EPA is conducting of air and surface samples at four fields and playgrounds that use recycled tires. The study was prompted by other research suggesting potential hazards from repeated exposure to bits of shredded tire.
http://asumag.com/dailynews/shredded-tires-playgr ... -20090608/
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Mon. Jul. 27, 2009 3:18 pm
by Jason B
Go figure.... I'm just looking for the cheapest way to have a black look year round without having to do any maint.
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Tue. Jul. 28, 2009 10:00 am
by Poconoeagle
just finished last nite. free coal from craigslist and a dozen rouge goldfish from my 29 gal inside tank was the motivation for this. the rock were cheap from the back yard but the dang plants cost a small fortune!!
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Tue. Jul. 28, 2009 11:14 am
by samhill
Looks good, it always surprises me how fast the amount of just about any project adds up. My wife always wants me to do things that she see`s somewhere, then when I tell her how much I think it will cost she usually changes her mind.
Re: Want to Use Coal for Landscaping, Instead of Tanbark/Mulch.
Posted: Wed. Jul. 29, 2009 10:16 am
by Jason B
Nice picture! I'm assuming that's anthracite coal.
I did find a place that sells it with many different sizes available.
http://www.direnzocoal.com/ourproducts.html