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Mulch
What is it?
Mulch is most commonly made of tree bark, wood chips, pine straw, moss, grass clippings, or leaves. Other substances like newspaper, manure, compost, or rubber are also popular.
What should it look like?
Most mulch looks like small wood chips that have various colours.
What are the different types of mulch?
The different types of mulch include Grass clippings, Straw, Wood chips, Bark, Gravel, Pine needles, Inorganic mulch, and Textile.
Best type of mulch to buy:
The best type of mulch to buy depends on your preference and garden job.
- For a play area
- For lining on top of garden beds
- For visual appeal
What is mulch used for?
Mulch helps with multiple aspects of a garden such as
- Helping to conserve and extend available water
- Protecting the soil from erosion
- Aiding in reduction competition by suppressing weeds
- Helps manage temperature extremes
- Acts as a barrier or visible marker of gardening beds to limit damage by landscape maintenance equipment
Bark
What is it?
Bark is as simple as it sounds, made from tree bark waste and turned into small chips.
What should it look like?
Small fines of tree bark that have been broken down and can be easily scooped up.
What is bark used for?
Bark is best used around trees, shrubs, and in garden beds where you won't be doing a lot of digging. Bark is also best used for front walkways and foundation plantings.
What are the different types of bark?
Some of the most common bark varieties in NZ are below:
- Hardwood chip bark
- Straw
- Pine bark
- Cedar bark
- Cypress Bark
Best type of bark to buy:
This depends on your project, if you are looking for a slow decomposing bark, pine is better, but if you are going purely for look and aesthetic, red bark chips are great too!
Bark or Mulch?
Advantages & Disadvantages of Mulch
Advantages & Disadvantages of Bark
In general, the woodier and dryer the mulch, the slower it will break down and the less nutrients it will give to the soil. Wood Bark is an excellent option for ground cover around plants and trees as it will maintain soil moisture in the Summer and will guard roots from frost in the Winter.
What type of mulch and bark should I buy for my garden or project?
We offer multiple types of mulch and bark that can be tailored for whatever use or project you are looking to complete.
Frequently asked questions
Is mulch the same as compost?
Mulch and compost are not the same thing. The simple answer is that mulch is used on the top layer of the soil to control weeds, retain moisture and regulate temperature, whereas compost is used beneath the top layer of the soil to benefit the soil itself in providing essential nutrients.
Does bark mulch turn into dirt / soil / compost?
Mulch does not turn directly into soil but rather contributes to the creation of healthy soil over time through a process called decomposition. As organic mulch, such as wood chips or leaves, breaks down, it undergoes decomposition by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.
Are there any disadvantages to some types of mulch?
Impervious mulches, like black plastic, don't let air or water in. Even matted leaves can have that same effect, so a well shredded mulch is always best. Light-coloured, wood-based mulches, like sawdust or fresh wood chips, can steal nitrogen from the soil as they break down.
What is the best tool to spread mulch?
Rakes are an important tool used for spreading much. There are different rakes; however, the sturdy bow rake is the most suitable one that helps spread the mulch. These types are known to have sturdy and short tines, which are often three inches long. Leaf rakes are only used to move the fluffiest mulches.
Will bark stop weeds?
Bark mulch provides a physical barrier to weeds, making them unable to penetrate and grow. The thickness of the bark acts as a deterrent for weed seeds, which is why it's vital to lay down a generous layer.
How often do you top up bark?
Bark breaks down slowly and will not need replenished often – some mulches can still be effective years after they were added. However, routine top ups when soil shows through, and a replenishment of bark mulch every 2-3 years, will maintain its full benefits.
How often should you top up the mulch? (Waiting on copy)
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What should you put under bark? (Waiting on copy)
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