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I don't understand bark/mulch, which do I need to buy?

NoviceGardenOwnerNoviceGardenOwner Posts: 31
in Plants
I have just planted a row of hedges. I have been advised on here and elsewhere to now cover the area with bark mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds. However, there are a lot of options and I don't understand the difference between them.

I'm not overly concerned with how it looks, I want the functional aspects of the bark.

What bark/mulch do I need to buy?

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Mulch is just a term to describe any layer of material put down on top of soil  :)
    Bark comes in different 'grades' from finely composted, ground stuff, to chunky heavy stuff. They all do the same job, but the bigger the chunks, the longer they take to break down. It's also a great place for slugs to hide, so it will often depend on what you're growing as to whether it's suitable. Around most shrubs/trees and hedging, it's fine.
    For anything more vulnerable, the finer stuff would be better.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • NoviceGardenOwnerNoviceGardenOwner Posts: 31
    Fairygirl said:
    Mulch is just a term to describe any layer of material put down on top of soil  :)
    Ah, I see, that explains a lot about why I see that word used so often, but not consistently.

    Fairygirl said:
    For anything more vulnerable, the finer stuff would be better.  :)
    Does this therefore suggest that the stuff marketed as "decorative bark" would be more suitable than "landscaping bark" - as far as I can tell, the main difference is the decorate stuff is finer.

  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 831
    Personally I like the Westland decorative mini bark
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    But it would be better for the plants if you used well rotted manure. The birds won't chuck it about quite as much, either.
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