The short answer is no. You can't and shouldn't use any old landscaping mulch for a
Regular mulch releases organic material into the soil whereas playground mulch does not. Playground mulch is great for applications when function is more important than looks, such as a playground, walking path or dog run.
Wood based materials, including engineered wood fiber (EWF) mulch, are the most commonly used playground surfacing materials because they are easily accessible, easy to install and have a much lower initial cost than other playground surfacing options.
Prepping and Setting Playground Mulch
Check the established perimeter of the playground and fix any of the borders to ensure that you can layer the appropriate amount of mulch in the playground. Install landscape fabric to prevent weeds from growing and use fabric staples to hold the barrier in place.
Playground wood chips often exceed ADA, ASTM, and CPSC playground surfacing standards. According to several studies [pdf], wood chips are the most effective surfaces for averting surface injuries. In addition, they are less sensitive to extreme temperatures.
Regular mulch is made from organic materials like tree bark and yard waste. Some benefits of regular mulch are that it stops weed growth and controls the rate of water loss. Meanwhile, playground mulch is ground-up natural wood from a sawmill. This type of mulch is great for walking paths and child amusement areas.
Wood chips are shredded, chipped, or ground-up pieces of wood. It sometimes includes bark, branches, and leaves. Wood mulch refers to the way wood chips are used. When spread on the soil surface as a protective top-dressing, we call it wood mulch.
The rule of thumb for how deep playground mulch should be is 8-12 inches, but every playground is different. Depth requirements for protective surfacing vary according to the materials used and the height of the equipment.
Sand. Sand is a classic option for playground surfaces, and it's relatively inexpensive and easy to install. It provides good shock absorption and can be adjusted to different depths depending on your children's age.
When using mulch in your landscape, there is no need for the use of artificial weed barrier such as plastic or landscape fabric. These materials do not work and are not weed barriers. They are only necessary under stone.
Engineered wood fiber (EWF) is considered the cheapest playground surfacing option at roughly $3-$5 per square foot. Relatively cheap and easy to install, Wood Mulch is one of the most popular playground surfacing options.
In hot, sunny weather, rubber mulch gets hot. Rubber mulch absorbs the heat of the sun. On a hot summer day, the mulch also gets hot — sometimes, uncomfortably so for children.
We recommend installing a weed barrier before the play set is built and prior to adding mulch. The best weed barriers allow water to drain from the play area. Keep in mind that you'll need to first install the playset on the solid ground surface, and then fill in with mulch around and under the structure.
The makeup of your mulch does matter. Here's why—organic mulch breaks down into the soil over time, adding in nutrients. But inorganic mulch doesn't dissolve, so soil quality pretty much stays the same. Both types of mulch have their advantages, which can help you pick the right option.
We recommend Melcourt PlayBark® for play areas that receive medium to heavy foot traffic and above all require a soft, cushioned surface. Bark mulch can be applied directly to the soil without the need for a membrane. However, for constructing a play area or path, a weed-proof membrane is recommended.
Playground wood chips and rubber mulch both work to provide a soft landing spot for kids who take a tumble when they're playing outside. However, the latter option, made of shredded rubber from old tires, could pose a potential safety risk.
However, when it comes to safety, no other material outshines engineered wood fiber (EWF). EWF is the most cost-effective loose-fill material for playground surfacing and has superior abilities for cushioning falls or impacts.
Common solid-surface playground material options include synthetic grass, rubber tiles, and poured-in-place rubber. Poured rubber is widely considered to be the best playground base material. Whether you choose loose-fill material or solid surfacing, it should comply with national safety standards and guidelines.
That's why a common question we hear is, “What is the best material to put under a swing set?” We always say vinyl mulch (also called rubber mulch) is the best material for playground surfaces as it is the safest, the most attractive-looking, and is easy to maintain.
You will need to maintain a minimum depth of at least 9 inches of loose-fill materials (wood mulch/chips, shredded/recycled rubber mulch, or sand/pea gravel) for playset decks up to 8 feet high.
To achieve the desired effects, Playground Mulch should be spread at least 9" deep. 1 cubic yard will cover an area 36 square feet at a 9" depth; 27 square feet if you apply the recommended 12".
Rubber mulch has been evaluated by groups like the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as an appropriate loose full surfacing material for residential and commercial playgrounds because it provides superior fall protection when compared to other materials.
Fresh wood chips and barks can contains toxins such as tannins that will damage plants that they are applied around. The trick is to age such materials by leaving them in a pile for several months to allow the toxins to dissipate before they are used in the garden.
As you choose the material for covering the ground in your garden, consider your reasoning for doing that. If you are covering the ground for water retention, then mulch would be a better option than wood chips. This is because mulch gives a smoother coverage so less ground will be exposed to the sun.
All organic mulch breaks down and eventually turns into soil. Mulch will become ineffective at suppressing weeds as it becomes compost. Below the compost layer, is what used to be composted mulch, but is now soil. As mulch is topped up every year, the layers of mulch, to compost, to soil will keep building.