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Choosing the right bark for your garden: A buyer's guide
Decorative bark is a fantastic addition to any garden because it provides a striking contrasting background for flowers and plants
Decorative bark is a fantastic addition to any garden because it provides a striking contrasting background for flowers and plants.
More than that, it can have a beneficial impact that goes beyond visual appeal.
While it’s most often a feature of flower beds, it can also be used for pathways and other areas, giving a stylish finish to your landscaping project.
Types of bark and their uses
There are two main types of bark; decorative bark, and landscaping bark.
Bark can also be referred to as mulch, which can be made from other organic materials as well as from wood chippings.
Mulch is used in the retention of moisture in the soil, to supress weeds and regulate soil temperature, while bark does essentially the same thing but is usually chosen for its aesthetic appeal.
Meanwhile, bark particle sizes range from fine shreds to large nuggets.
Landscaping bark
Characterised by a mid to dark brown colour, and is composed of pieces of varying sizes, including chipped strips of bark, a small amount of white wood, and sometimes pine needles.
Mulch would come under this category.
Decorative bark
This bark is derived from various types of coniferous trees, such as pine and spruce and is most suited to decorative projects.
What are the best bark chippings for garden?
Bark chippings are essentially a variant of hardwood aggregate, created from tree bark, usually a biproduct of timber processing.
They can be found in attractive colours and textures depending on the tree species; for example, cedar bark has a reddish hue and fibrous strands while pine bark tends to be brown and chunky.
You can choose from a wide selection of colours and sizes.
This ranges from tiny, as a mulch to larger sizes used as decoration and your choice will all depend upon what your primary requirements are.
Varieties include:
Natural bark chippings
These will include lovely variations of colour taken from the natural bark of trees.
Black bark chippings
These are mainly dyed bark mulch. Their main use is to look fabulous as well as suppress weeds.
Coloured bark chippings
Think of a colour…; red, brown, orange, blue, grey, green, mottled, white, even metallic – these are barks used to create eye-catching garden designs.
However, you do need to be aware that these will not always be beneficial to your plants and garden.
If you’re looking for decorative bark that will also enhance plant growth and wildlife, then these may not be for you.
The pros of coloured bark:
- Natural product
- Looks stunning
- Works for a variety of garden looks, from minimalist Zen to children’s play area.
Cons:
- You may just want your garden to look as natural as possible
- Coloured decorative bark primarily uses recycled wood because it absorbs colouring agents more effectively. Occasionally derived from sources like demolition sites, where there’s a risk of exposure to contamination
- You may not feel happy with carbon-based or oxide-based dyes, although there’s no evidence of their being toxic
What are the best bark chippings for garden?
Here are some of the varieties you will be able to find at Forward Builders’ Supplies.
Characterised by its dark, fine texture that breaks down quickly.
Good for:
- Nourishing the soil with organic matter
- Boosting the structure of soil and making it more fertile
- Helping in suppression of weeds and the retention of moisture
Use on: flower beds, some vegetable patches and around shrubs and fruit trees
Landscape Bark
These areaesthetically pleasing pieces of bark that give garden beds and borders a neater weed-free appearance.
Good for:
- Giving the garden texture and interest
- The suppression of weeds
- moisture retention
Use on: flower beds, borders, pathways, and around shrubs and trees
Available in Bulk Bags or a 100L Bag.
These are morerounded pieces of bark with softer edges designed for safety and comfort.
Good for:
- Children’s play areas
Use on:children’s play areas and also pathways, and areas where foot traffic is frequent.
(Landscape Bark) https://www.forwardbs.co.uk/planting-growing/barks/
Purpose of decorative bark
When choosing the right bark for your garden, you might want to take into consideration its other properties.
It’s not just there to make your garden look gorgeous, it also has a purpose:
Low maintenance
Bark is a great way to ensure that your garden is low maintenance, as it creates a barrier that prevents the growth of weeds.
Improves soil
Applying a layer of bark will enables rainwater to penetrate the soil more effectively.
Mulch will also reduce the amount of water that evaporates from the surface of the soil.
The efficient distribution of water will in the long-term help to improve the soil structure. Bark also releases a range of nutrients which helps to improve the fertility of the soil.
Protects roots
Plants suffer because of extremes in temperature in the UK, but bark actually regulates the temperature so that plants do not suffer when the weather is hot and dry in summer and freezing in winter.
Six ways to make decorative bark last
The length of time that decorative bark will look good is dependent on a number of factors, and these are what you should consider when choosing the right bark for your garden.
1. Buy good bark
It stands to reason that the poorer the quality of bark, the more reduced its longevity will be. That’s one reason to choose a trusted supplier if you are planning to use decorative bark in your project.
2. Understand the weather
The climate can be a factor when choosing your decorative bark.
Hot, dry weather or heavy rain can accelerate decomposition, so if you live in an area of extreme weather conditions you will need to replace your bark more frequently.
3. Take into account moisture in the soil
Very wet soil can lead to the production of mould or fungi, which will have an impact on the life of your bark. To combat this, you might need to install an irrigation system or adopt a different watering technique.
4. Factor in sunshine
Everyone wants the sun to shine on their garden but in the case of decorative bark, not too much.
Intense sun can cause the bark to dry out and become brittle.
If you’re lucky to have a sunny garden, you need to seek out a bark that is resistant to UV damage or put it in areas which get more shade.
5. Understand soil composition
Some types of soil are more acidic than others, and these could have a damaging effect on the bark, causing it to decompose much quicker.
6. Install correctly
Installing your bark in the correct way will help preserve its longevity, as will regular maintenance.
Garden ideas for decorative bark
Pathways
Sometimes gravel or slabs don’t feel quite right in a natural garden but a beautiful, weathered bark will create a lovely natural pathway with the added advantage that it won’t get slippery in winter.
As a creative backdrop
Decorative bark is most often used to create a contrast between plants and ground to dramatic effect when using coloured bark. Think bright blue flowers on a backdrop of red bark, or fuchsia pink against black.
Create a play area
Bark is non-slip and, with the correct installation, soft enough to cushion any falls, which makes it perfect for a play area in the garden.
For the birds
Attract birds into your garden by creating a bark covered area for them to scratch around in.
FAQs
Is bark good for gardens?
Yes. It can suppress weeds, ensuring your garden is low maintenance, improve soil quality and regulate soil temperature. When it decomposes it also releases nutrients into the ground.
How to use bark in the garden
Use as a backdrop for your plants and shrubs, around tress, under garden furniture, for pathways and play areas.
When is the best time to lay bark?
The soil needs to be really moist before you lay it, so as long as this is the case it can be any time of the year.
How much bark do I need for my garden?
As a rule of thumb, 100L of bark will cover 4m².
Can you put bark directly on soil?
Yes, it’s possible to place it directly on soil but for reasons outlined below you may want to consider a weed control membrane.
What to put under bark in garden?
If you want to ensure that there will be no weeds poking through your bark, then you can lay a mulch weed control fabric to stop new weed growth and kill off existing weeds.
It will also block out the light which ensures that weeds cannot grow.
Advisable for areas that aren’t used so frequently.
How to lay bark in garden
- We recommend that you lay your bark at a minimum of 5cm thickness, so that it will be effective in terms of moisture retention and weed suppression
- Spread it evenly with a rake, and make sure that it can be easily distributed under plants
- Avoid packing it down around the roots of plants as this can cause them to rot
How long does bark last in a garden?
Usually, five to seven years.
The organic nature of bark means that it will start to decompose after a while – how fast depends on factors such as the climate, direct sunlight and how wet the ground beneath gets.
What are the best bark chippings for a garden?
The best bark for your garden is all contingent on your needs. If you want it primarily for aesthetic reasons, then ornamental bark will be the best option. This will work really well for trees and shrubs. If you want a weed suppressor or to improve the soil then woodland mulch might be best.
Can I use bark mulch on my vegetable garden?
The short answer is yes! It can be beneficial, but there are reasons why you might not choose to use it on a vegetable garden.
For example, it can affect the pH levels of the soil, and this may make it unsuitable for some vegetable plants.
This however, can be solved by testing the acidity levels in your soil with a home testing kit.
There are also specific kinds of bark which could potentially prevent your vegetables from growing.
So, if you do wish to use bark in your vegetable garden then keep a watchful eye on your plants.
On the whole though, the beneficial aspects of bark can outweigh their adverse effects.
Can you put bark in garden waste bin?
Yes. Bark is a natural product, which breaks down over time so this can be added to your garden waste bin.
Does bark stop cats pooping in garden?
Cats are more likely to poop in your vegetable patch than on your bark, but as they love to dig, they may find a nice layer of mulch irresistible.
Why is bark good for garden paths?
There are a number of reasons why bark is good for garden paths, but primarily it is non slip and stops soil erosion, is easy to install and is durable.
What can I do to help bark last longer?
To improve the effectiveness of bark you can install a weed control membrane.
Not only will this reduce the need for more chippings or mulch, but will prevent any mixing of bark and soil which could lead to faster deterioration.
Can wood bark harm plants?
As long as you ensure that the wood bark isn’t packed too close to your plants or shrubs, then wood bark will not damage plants.
In fact, its ability to retain moisture, enrich soil and fend off weeds will indeed have the opposite effect, helping to make plants thrive.
Is decorative bark safe for dogs?
Decorative bark is safe for dogs.
Common varieties include cedar and pine bark, and these won’t harm pet pooches.
However, any mix containing cocoa shells will be toxic to dogs, so ensure that you buy your bark from a reputable dealer who can advise you.
Looking for help with your garden?
At Forward Builders’ Supplies we have a comprehensive range of planting materials including composts, landscape bark, decorative aggregates and soils.
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