I'm facing the same issue here. I've already bought a bag of bark chippings (impulse buy with my other orders), but wonder if and when I should use them on my garden. I know it's good for retaining moisture, but I also read many of you saying that in the winter sometimes it's the wet not the cold that kills plants?
I'm in London and soil has a lot of clay in it though I've added grit and compost to improve drainage. Still a bit worried about overwintering for my perennials planted this year: Pentemons, delphiniums, salvias, phlox, dhalia, cornflower...
The problem with the very chunky bark is that it's wonderful for slugs to hide under. I'd always plant densely, as already said by others, or use some basic ground cover and a load of bulbs, but it's often a case of experimenting. I only use chunky bark round shrubs and hedging.
In certain circumstances @msqingxiao , yes - wet cold is far worse, but I doubt it would be a problem in most London gardens. It's completely different to properly wet, cold areas. The ground dries out quicker in spring which makes a huge difference. If the soil's never been amended in any way, and the plants are tiny little things, it might be a bit iffy. If you can successfully leave dahlias in the ground, I wouldn't worry.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
I'm in London and soil has a lot of clay in it though I've added grit and compost to improve drainage. Still a bit worried about overwintering for my perennials planted this year: Pentemons, delphiniums, salvias, phlox, dhalia, cornflower...
I'd always plant densely, as already said by others, or use some basic ground cover and a load of bulbs, but it's often a case of experimenting. I only use chunky bark round shrubs and hedging.
In certain circumstances @msqingxiao , yes - wet cold is far worse, but I doubt it would be a problem in most London gardens. It's completely different to properly wet, cold areas. The ground dries out quicker in spring which makes a huge difference. If the soil's never been amended in any way, and the plants are tiny little things, it might be a bit iffy.
If you can successfully leave dahlias in the ground, I wouldn't worry.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...