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OK, set stage. It looks like I can re-group my sorry deck this winter. The lower part goes bye-bye. I am looking to put down weed barrier, then playground mulch as this will be ground level.

In this area, not huge, but decent, will be lots of containers. They are up on something, but still water coming through, plus a couple of chairs and table. We do get 50+ inches of rain, another factor. Have any of you used Playground wood mulch or the shredded rubber mulch?

Thanks in advance for input.

My friend used rubber mulch to pot up orchids and had good results and healthy roots. Also virtually weed free since rubber does not support weed growth. When it started to rain though he started having problems because the rubber mulch although free draining did not dry particularly fast and he started to get root rot.

I used rubber mulch in the garden. It does help with weed control when it is thick enough. Weeds and algae do not readily reestablish on it. Use it as a mulch layer as an underlayment under the pots. Box it in somehow to keep the particles from drifting but still allow drainage, it is decent at weed suppression. It should be flushed a few times. If weeds grow it is from trapped dirt in the mulch. It's best use though would be on pathways and play areas where the cushioning would be welcome.