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Message |
    
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 168
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 10:59 am: | 
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We have a 9' X 9' area in our backyard that is currently gravel/dirt, and tends to take on standing water after heavy rainfall. I'm thinking of converting it to a little play area for our 2 y/o for the summer, and wanted a good suggestion of what type of material to use. I've seen woodchips used, which seems like a good idea, but I'm nervous the standing water situation might cause them to mold/rot. Has anyoene else used this as a groundcover? Any other ideas? I'm not inclined to use the recycled rubber. |
Farida Agustiani
Citizen
Username: Chinzo
Post Number: 5
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 12:54 pm: |
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There is a mulch just for play areas, call playmat. Or you might want to try sand. The rubber is probably the best. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10335
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 1:02 pm: |
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Smarty I would suggest using cedar bark mulch (not chips). One year we had some interesting lacey looking things grow in our garden when we used hardwood bark mulch. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 176
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 1:15 pm: |
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Bob, do you use Cedar? If so, has moisture affected it much? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10338
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 1:55 pm: |
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It will deteriorate and have to be added to over the years. It does hold moisture, which is what it is actually sold for. We used it under a swingset and use it as mulch in planting beds. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 178
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:10 pm: |
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Thanks Bob. Last question...how deep was your under the swingset mulch? |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 501
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:15 pm: |
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6-8 inches deep. Regular wood chips work well and actually absorb the water - which really helped our backyard's moisture problem. You will have to add some new wood chips every couple of years, which really isn't a big deal. We installed woodchips and a play set this past June and it turned out really fantastic. I posted a picture of it on MOL this past fall in response to someone's thread. I will look for a link. I would definitely recommend regular woodchips - definitely don't go with rubber. |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 502
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:21 pm: |
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Well, I found the thread, but I have no idea how to link to it. So, here's what to search for. The thread in the Home fix-it section is called "wood chips for swingset", dated September 15, 2005. My post features a picture of our set-up. Enjoy. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10341
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 3:23 pm: |
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Mulch is softer, but to each his or her own. |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 504
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 3:47 pm: |
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Maybe a bit softer, but wood chips (or play chips) are fine and the chips will not need to be replenished as frequently as mulch. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 179
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 4:32 pm: |
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Found it, great picture/set-up! Thanks everybody, very helpful. |
Earlster
Supporter
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 1453
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 6:06 pm: |
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Here is the link to the post:
http://www.southorangevillage.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?tpc=3131&post=457076#POST4570 76 |
Veritas Ultimo
Citizen
Username: Veritas_ultimo
Post Number: 30
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 10:17 pm: |
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Bob K has it right. Cedar mulch is soft, keeps a number of insects away and doesn't mold. You can get it delivered from the place in Millburn that you can see from Rt. 78. Other wood mulch can mold, be from insect infested trees (especially free South Orange mulch), and can cause cuts if the child falls on a sharp edge. |
Farida Agustiani
Citizen
Username: Chinzo
Post Number: 7
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 10:17 am: |
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Yes this is the playmat. You can get it from Turf Grass in Millburn |
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