Why are Bark Chippings so Good for Your Garden?

 

Bark-based mulch should be an essential tool for any gardener, wherever you live and whatever types of plants you want to grow. Here Madingley Mulch, who supply garden bark chips from our base near Cambridge, explain how they work, and the advantages they offer.

 

They Improve Soil Structure

Bark chips are classified as a biodegradable mulch that can be waste products from commercial enterprises such as sawmills, or they can be purpose-made for gardeners. The chips break down gradually over time, releasing nutrients into the soil. These nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which aid plant growth.

To get the full benefit, bark chippings should be replaced every few months once they have fully rotted down.

 

They Discourage Weeds

Another benefit of bark chips is the fact that they can deter weeds. This is because a layer of bark mulch will block out the sunlight which is needed to germinate and grow weed seeds. So you will be saving time by not having to uproot all those unwanted garden invaders.

 

They Cut Down on Watering

Bark chip mulch is a timesaver in another way as well – it helps you cut down on watering. This is particularly useful if we have a prolonged dry spell, as we are having at the moment. This is again because it blocks out direct sunlight from the soil, this time reducing evaporation and helping your flower beds or lawn retain moisture.

Once you have added bark chippings to the soil, you may need to apply extra water to reach the roots of the plants beneath; however, in the longer term the mulch will also help rain to soak into the soil, and less water will evaporate, so you should find you need to water less frequently.

 

They are Extremely Versatile

You don’t need to use bark chips solely in your flowerbeds. It is such a versatile material that you can use it in a variety of locations, including garden paths. You can also use it on slopes which aren’t suitable for any other uses, and where it’s difficult to grow anything.

It also makes a good landing pad if you have created a children’s play area in your garden; special play area bark chips will help cushion any landings, planned or unplanned, if your child falls from a height.

 

They Look Good

Bark chippings will also improve the appearance of your garden. The rich dark colours will make your flower beds stand out. This is also true of non-biodegradable mulches such as decorative stones, pebbles or gravel – however, while the stones will also discourage weeds and cut down on your watering, they won’t improve the structure of your soil.

 

Applying Your Bark Chip Mulch

Make sure you weed the flower bed (or pathway, or wherever you want to lay it down) thoroughly. Ideally, the bark chips should be laid down on moist soil rather than hard earth (that is, during a hot dry spell). Equally, you should avoid laying them down when the temperatures have plummeted and there may be a risk of frost.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, the bark should be between 2-3ins thick and not spread right up against any plants. If you are using it around larger plants such as shrubs or trees the mulch should extend to the radius of the canopy.

 

Garden Bark Chips in Cambridge from Madingley Mulch

At Madingley Mulch, we carry many different types of bark mulch – from composted bark, to mini-bark (for pots and smaller beds) and Premium bark. You can even buy special play area bark from us, which is sufficiently absorbent to help avoid any problems with falls and trips.

If you’d prefer a non-biodegradable product, then our range of decorative garden stones – which we supply to customers in Suffolk, Essex, and many other parts of East Anglia –  can be found here.  Not mentioned what you need? Check our full selection here.

If you aren’t sure which type is best for you, give us a call on 01954 212144 or email us at shop@mulch.co.uk.

 

---

Back to blog