Allotments 4 All

I am looking for a decorative mulch/ground cover to put down on a bed up in the childrens play area.  The bed in question has a sleeper bridge going over it leading to their playhouse and the idea was to have lush plants growing either side so it was like walking through a jungle for them....however....some plants have been okay, like a couple of very tall grasses, but some have popped off thanks to the kids toys, and the dry ground.  I am happy to split the grasses in spring and spread them out a bit - but there will still be some bare ground, so I thought a blue or green mulch - to look like water....okay, well, use your imagination for me.... ;D  Anyhow, if you happen to know of a good stockist, or are bored when googling and happen across someone, please let me know.  I found this great site - but of course it is in the US.

http://www.americanspecialtyglass.com/

Astroturf? ::)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D nutter!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

 :-[ :-[ :-[
;)

oh EJ I wish you lived near a beach. I collect glass pebbles from the beach. They look great,they are smoothed by the sea so no rough or sharp edges and ofcourse they come in green, white and sometimes dark blue. You need a trip to the seaside!

How about dying some wood chippings?

river of flowers...





or pebbles

Wow natasha, that's fabulous!

Hi Supersprout,
these pictures are copied from a landscape forum and they are inspiring!
Plenty of aubrieta!

Hi EJ.  Not a mulch as such but one cheap and very effective option is to use upside down wine/lager bottles.  I've only ever seen pictures of these used on patios etc but maybe a bit of a Google would tell you how it's done?

G x

Hi EJ, you could try these people:  http://www.mulch.co.uk/frameset.htm .  I don't know whether you're in their delivery area or whether they do exactly what you're looking for, but they're very good & may well be able to suggest someone else if they can't help.

Thanks for all the ideas peeps.  That mulch company isn't allllll that far away from our part of Essex so something to think about.
My folks lined their garden path with wine bottles back in the 70's Georgie.  They are still there now, and lovely ferns grow in them, with no help from anyone!
They are great photos Natasha and I would love to use plants, I just don't know how they would stand up to the kids.
Astroturf.....astroturf.....hmmm....heheheh...wonder if it comes in blue?  ;D

http://www.traceytimber.co.uk/decorchip.html

Just to let you know the colours are out there, this company may not be a practical option, but they might be worth a phone call  :-\

If we need a stream without water, coloured slate chips look the part. Use blue, green and grey and spread them in drifts. The slate  works a bit like that black mulch they use  in the canary islands and draws up moisture when the sun is out and traps the early morning dew.  Grasses and ground cover herbs love the conditions. Also I have used aptenia cordifolia The heat from the slate helps it over-winter and it is easy to propagate, just put a bit in a glass of water and after a few days it throws out roots. (even after being in your suitcase for a week).It grows all over the place in spain.

Now Sarah, I thought of you today!  Dragged the urchins to the garden centre as I needed some grass seed, and what do you know, they are now supplying three different grades of astroturf!  The fine one is lovely and soft.  It is very very tempting!  I might get it priced up just to see.  :P

 :o
many a true word spoken in jest? :P
hehehehe ;D ;D

I can recomend www.gardendeals.co.uk for a very clever mulch made of mineralized straw.  You are weed free for 2 years!!

I have used it for quite some time now, and it is excellent.