A protective layer of mulch made from shredded bark ensures that unwanted weeds are suppressed and do not germinate in the first place. It also protects the soil from erosion and moisture loss. In the following article, we explain how to apply the material correctly and which plants benefit from the bark mulch layer.

Bark mulch leaves no space for weeds

What is bark mulch?

Bark mulch is small, not yet decomposed pieces of tree bark that accumulate as waste during wood processing. You can get the mulch material with different grain sizes, open or packed in large bags, from specialist retailers.

However, there is no uniform regulation as to how bark mulch must be made. It is not even required by law that this material consists of pure bark. One hundred percent foreign substances are even permitted, provided they are wood or plant material. So look out for the RAL quality mark, which stands for tested, unmixed quality.

How does the bark mulch layer work?

Three properties of the mulch material are responsible for the good suppression of weeds:

  • Almost all seed-forming weeds are light germinators. No light can penetrate through the dense mulch layer, so that it no longer opens.
  • The loose structure of the bark mulch gives the roots little support. Sparsely growing plants through the layer can be weeded very easily.
  • During decomposition, tannins are released, which have an unfavorable effect on the growth of weeds.

How is bark mulch correctly applied in the bed?

Do not choose a granulation that is too small, as this can impede the exchange of oxygen in the soil. As a rule of thumb, the larger the area to be covered, the larger the pieces of bark mulch should be.

Bring the material out here like this:

  • Loosen the soil between the plants.
  • Remove all weeds including the roots.
  • Apply bark mulch in a seven to ten centimeter thick layer.
  • It is advisable to add nitrogen fertilizer at the same time, since the conversion of bark mulch removes nitrogen from the soil.
  • Regularly top up the rotted mulch layer.

For which plants is bark mulch suitable?

Unfortunately, bark mulch is not a panacea that is equally suitable for all plants. at

  • annual plants,
  • bulb flowers,
  • strawberries,
  • in the vegetable patch
  • in the rock garden
  • as well as in the herb bed

the mulching material should not be used. These plants do not tolerate the acidic pine bark well. Here you can use lawn clippings or another material as a weed-suppressing top layer to suppress weeds.

Acid and humus loving plants such as:

  • ferns
  • hydrangeas
  • Rhododendrons

thrive particularly well thanks to the protective layer of bark mulch. Freshly planted shrubs and many shade perennials also benefit from a layer of bark mulch.

tips

In connection with this mulch material, reference is often made to an increased cadmium load. However, measurements have shown that no effects on the soil content of cadmium are to be expected with normal application in the home garden.

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Herbs