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Benefits of using bark mulch: Weed control, moisture retention, and more
You may have heard that bark mulch is good for gardens, but aren’t sure why
You may have heard that bark mulch is good for gardens, but aren’t sure why.
Here, we give you the lowdown on this valuable resource and how your plants can benefit from its use.
First, what is mulch?
Essentially, it’s something you spread over the ground as a protective covering.
While it can be made from organic materials, like bark and wood chips, it can also take the form of black plastic rocks.
Bark mulch is made from bark derived from trees like cedar and pine. It’s often left over from other processes, such as furniture making, or from sawmills.
It contains chunky pieces that enrich your landscaping project by delivering vital nutrients, as well as creating an attractive backdrop for trees and plants.
Mulching is the perfect way to optimise the health of your garden, especially during drier spells of warmer weather when it’s important soil retains as much moisture as possible.
However, there are many other benefits too.
How does bark mulch work?
Plants are complex organisms that need nutrients to grow.
These are obtained from the soil, and all are key to their development.
There are three fundamental nutrients that plants receive from the soil; nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – and these can be enhanced by the application of bark mulch.
Bark mulch, which is classified as ‘biodegradable mulches’, is the kind which gradually breaks down to release into the soil nutrients in various amounts, helping to improve its structure.
It works in the same way as other landscaping bark varieties by creating a protective barrier over the soil that boosts moisture retention.
Not only that, it also ensures the soil’s temperature is regulated.
Basically, mulch provides insulation so that soil is cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
It also helps by reducing evaporation, ensuring that plants have enough water.
Benefits from using bark mulch in your garden
As described above, there are numerous benefits of using mulch, but to be truly effective it needs to be spread correctly, and you must take care not to pile up mulch against wood stems and avoid smothering plants.
Here are the main ways to ensure that you get the optimum benefits of using mulch:
- Biodegradable mulches need to be between at least 5cm (2in) and ideally 7.5cm (3in) thick
- You should layer mulches over moist soil, after removing any weeds and taking care that the soil is not frozen
- When creating new beds, think about layering first with mulch sheets as this will prevent weeds from growing through and help retain moisture.
Bark mulch benefits include:
Reduces the need for watering
One of the key things about bark mulch is the ability to help the soil retain moisture.
Think of its composition; shredded pine, wood chips and bark – especially the finer sort – are porous and fibrous, so they’ll soak up any water and then release the moisture gradually into the soil.
Curbs weed growth
A layer of bark mulch acts as a physical barrier that blocks out sunlight and consequently prevents the germination and growth of weeds.
Improves soil’s organic composition
Over the months and years, bark mulch breaks down into the soil, contributing to its organic composition, fertility and structure.
Provides nutrients
Bark mulch is a brilliant source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – all of them essential for soil health.
Warms up soil in cooler weather
During hot weather, mulch acts as an insulating layer that keeps the soil cool. In cold weather, it helps maintain warmer soil temperatures, protecting the roots from extreme temperatures
Deters pests
Mulch can act as an eco-friendly pesticide.
Prevents soil erosion
Soil erosion occurs over time as the result of wind and rain, and almost certainly will lead to the reduction in topsoil, vital to plant growth.
Mulch is the perfect way to prevent this as it forms a barrier against the elements.
Without a layer of mulch, rain and wind will be able to sweep away soil. With mulch, the impact of rain falling on the earth is greatly reduced and the speed of the wind is slowed down.
For aesthetic purposes
Bark mulch is an attractive addition to any garden, producing a uniform aesthetic and adding rich, earthy colour.
It’s a great way to create interest and texture to the landscape as well as be a standout backdrop for plants and foliage.
Tips on how best to use bark mulch
The best way to use your bark mulch is to determine what will be best for the garden and what you wish to grow.
For example, if you want an organic material that will be longer lasting and not quickly lose its natural colour then you should opt for pine bark mulch.
There are other benefits of pine bark mulch to consider too, such as its widespread availability, its variety of textures – from finely shredded to larger pine ‘nuggets’ – and its lightness, which adds to its ease of application.
Most bark mulch will do the job of controlling weeds, retaining moisture and adding nutrients to the soil. However, others have added benefits.
Take, for example, cedar mulch.
This is not only another hard-wearing protective covering, but has other fantastic attributes.
These include its stunning colour which provides a gorgeous contrast for green foliage and plants, and it has a delicious cedar wood scent which adds an extra sensory dimension to your garden.
Other advantages of cedar mulch are as a natural pesticide.
It actually has the ability to ward off insects, so if you’re trees and plants are being attacked by pests, the this will be the best and most eco-friendly deterrent for bugs.
And it is also a great option if you want durability.
Use it to top dress the earth underneath and it shouldn’t need replacing for years.
Can we help you with your next garden project? We hope so!
If you want to know more about our range of mulches and decorative bark then get inspired by taking a look here.
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