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New smart cover

Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845
in Tools and techniques

I am wondering if anyone has tried this new bark improvement (allegedly)product.  It markets well and seems to be in demand 

We have 4 parterres, each 100sq mtrs So as you can imagine they are quite labour intensive and this year our own bark supply has been used in other places. 

We have researched this carefully and today have covered one parterre It is expensive but if it works it will last longer than bark and you need half the amount ( 3cms). We plan to do one. then compare. Each parterre is planted up the same.

 

Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
A A Milne

Posts

  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355

    Sorry Lily - perhaps I'm being a bit dense (nothing new there thenimage )- but which bark / mulch product are you talking about?

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    Am I actually allowed to say?

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    going to risk it, apologies if I shouldn't do this

    Smart Ground Cover. 

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355

    No I've not used it Lily - sorry.

    I've found that all smaller particle bark mulch only really lasts for one season before it disappears into the soil - so will be pleased to hear how you get on with this.

    I've found the only mulching product which seems to really last are the large (approx 2cm diameter) ornamental pine bark nuggets. They take ages to rot down and only need to be topped up every 2 or 3 years - depending how often you disturb them / inadvertently dig them in when doing new planting. A couple of path and no dig areas still have some of the original covering from 5 years ago.

    They are, therefore, good for weed suppression and water retention in low disturbance areas - but not much good for adding lots of organic matter to the soil.

    I'm still looking at Strulch (mineralised straw) which is expensive but supposed to be a longer lasting ornamental mulch. Delighted to see Beechgrove are doing a mulch trial this season and Strulch is one of the products they are using. They are also using various bark mulches.

    They started the trial off 2 weeks ago and is available on catch-up if you missed the programme first time roundimage

    Last edited: 04 May 2017 17:35:51

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    Saw it in the garden centre at the weekend. A new product for them so they cannot tell me how good it is. Approx £10 a bag. But it is so light I can carry a bag no bother wheres I struggle with bags of bark mulch. I am considering trying it on the rose bed out front. I think it is the same as Strulch. Normally my rose bed takes 5 bags of bark, this should need only 3 I hope. 

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    Thanks topbird I will check out the Beechgrove website. The Strulch sounds, interesting have you any idea what it  costs?

    yes hogweed it is so light we were worried about the wind as we laid it today but you then water it and it is looking much firmer tonight. We got it for under £10 and we needed a lot but they wouldn't do a deal and wanted to charge for delivery. OH got 15 bags into the car and we will keep going back. 

    We think it went further than they recommend (that old trick!) but we do already have some bark left

    let me me know please  how you find it

    thanks

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355

    Not dissimilar price Lily. Can be bought in large quantities from manufacturer (cheapest) or smaller quantities from Crocus.

    Will be interesting to watch the BG trials  - I think they were using 4 different mulches - each laid at 2 different thicknesses.

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    I love a good trial but I don't think the BG one covers enough ground. Would have been better if they had used it on that big new bed at the pond. 

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
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