Why Topsoil.co.uk bark mulch is the perfect mulch for your borders and flower beds

At Topsoil.co.uk, our shredded bark mulch is one of our best-selling products, and we are often asked about how best to use it, what it is suitable for, and what the differences are between our wood chippings and our bark mulch.

To find the answers to all these questions and more, read on.

Which is better, mulch or bark?

Our shredded bark mulch will last longer than our wood chippings, and is ideal for covering your borders or flower beds, as it protects the soil from the extremes of the weather. Bark mulch might not absorb quite as much water as pure wood chippings, and as such could float away in a flood, so if your garden is prone to flooding our wood chippings may be the best answer. Bark mulch however is great for reflecting heat and also inhibiting the growth of weeds. You can also choose between the two based on colour, as our bark, mulch is darker than our lighter wood chippings.

Is bark mulch as good as other mulch?

Bark mulch is the perfect solution for covering the soil in your flower beds or borders, and it simply acts as a barrier to heat, water and weed growth. Bark breaks down more slowly than our wood chippings, so in effect it is a hard wearing, long lasting final covering for your borders.

What is the best type of bark mulch?

Our bark mulch is shredded bark mulch, one of the most popular and commonly used mulches, and is the perfect cost-effective answer to protecting your soil. It comes from conifer trees, is ideal for sloping areas, and is very durable due to the fact that it has a slow rate of breaking down.

How long will bark mulch last?

This will depend on your specific conditions in your own garden, but typically you will get several years use from your mulch, and it could be as much as 6 or 7 years. All it does though is break down gradually over time, so when it starts to look a bit thin in terms of cover, all you need to do is top it up with some more. That way you can be sure it will still do its job of protecting your soil and plants.

Should I remove old mulch?

As a natural, biodegradable product, there is no need to remove your old bark mulch, simply mix in some new mulch when you need to and you are ready to go again. The main role of your bark mulch is to protect your plants and the soil underneath from sun, rain, and weeds, so as long as it is thick enough to do that then it is doing what it should do.

Can you put bark on top of soil?

Not only can you, but we think that you definitely should put a layer of bark mulch over the soil on your borders and flowerbeds. Acting as a final defence system, your bark mulch layer will enhance your garden, and your plants will be better protected. Not only does it look nice, it provides much needed protection from the sun’s rays, it absorbs water to stop your beds becoming waterlogged, and it gradually breaks down over time, meaning it is the perfect eco-friendly protective substance.

Applying a thick layer of decorative bark to your soil surfaces (called a mulch) does much more than just make your garden look attractive. It helps to retain soil moisture, suppresses weed growth and will gradually improve the structure of your soil.

Will Topsoil.co.uk’s Bark Mulch stop weeds?

Mulch is one of the best things you can add to your garden. Not only does it protect the health of your soil, it also helps to keep weeds at bay. Just make sure you lay sufficient depth to fully cover your flowerbeds (50mm is great), and it will help suppress those pesky weeds.

Do you need a membrane under bark mulch?

There is a lot to be said for adding a weed membrane to your new flowerbeds or borders as another line of defence against weeds. In combination with bark mulch it will create a more effective barrier to weeds, whilst the bark mulch adds a more pleasant aesthetic on top of the membrane. Make sure the membrane is water permeable though, as you don’t want to stop all of the water from getting to its destination.

We hope that these tips help you to get the best from your bark mulch, and we’re confident that when you purchase your bark mulch from Topsoil.co.uk you will have the perfect cover for your flower beds and borders, all delivered straight to your door with no hassle.