5 Reasons To Include Bark Chippings & Mulch In Garden Landscape Projects

Reading time: 4 minutes

1. Give new plants a helping hand

If your professional gardening project has seen you carefully spacing out young plants around an outdoor space as part of a new planting scheme, time will be needed for these perennials to fill out.

Placing a layer of bark mulch around these plants will help to protect them whatever the time of year.

A plant’s roots will be kept safe from the effects of frost when the temperatures drop during the winter, for instance, as well as helping to retain soil moisture throughout dry spells in the height of summer. 

2. Set up a barrier for weed growth

Even just a covering of bark chippings around 5cm deep will be enough to block sunlight from the soil that causes weeds to grow. Any weed seeds that land on top of a mulch surface are less likely to find their way into the soil beneath to start growing either.

Seen as a natural weed suppressor, this setup will mean that property owners will not need to worry about weeds taking root around their outdoor space and compete with plants for nutrients and water, making it ideal when a low-maintenance garden is required.

3. Create a sturdy and eye-catching garden path

Bark chippings can be used when you need to construct a garden path around a property’s outdoor space too.

Incredibly comfortable and soft to walk on, bark is also a durable and low maintenance option for an exterior walkway. Plus, these chippings will not get slippery in cold weather – a risk when hard surfaces are used for garden paths.

Laying bark chippings about 10cm deep will be enough to establish the compression needed from people walking on the material, and if the chippings do become compacted over time, they’re easy to top up to maintain coverage and cushioning.
 

If you really want to catch the eye with your professional gardening project, look to spread bark chips around a carefully placed route of paving slabs for an aesthetically pleasing path.

4. Establish a safe bark play area in a garden

Are you working on a garden and have been asked to create a play area? 

Whether a property owner wants a playhouse, climbing frames or slides in place for their children to enjoy when the weather is pleasant, bark is an ideal choice of surface for the following reasons: 

• They provide a soft landing should a child fall over while playing
   

• They are designed to avoid having any sharp edges
   

• They are natural and chemical-free products
   

• They will not get muddy if it starts to rain

5. Prevent soil erosion when working on sloped gardens

You cannot even go wrong with bark chippings when you are improving the look of a garden designed with slopes or inclines.

This is because bark releases organic matter and nutrients when it decomposes, which improves the fertility of the soil underneath.

Soil will therefore be stabilised, as well as the risk of runoff reduced to prevent a sloped garden from soil erosion over time.

We hope you find plenty of great ways to use bark chippings and mulch for the professional gardening projects that you have coming up. Make sure to keep checking out our gardens and landscaping advice hub for even more inspiration when working around outdoor spaces.