Bark mulch is extremely useful in the garden and also in flower pots, as it protects the soil from drying out and frost. But does bark mulch also help against weeds?
In fact, bark mulch can be used effectively against weeds. You can find out exactly how this works and what you should consider when applying the mulch material here.
Which bark mulch helps against weeds?
Bark mulch is the finely chopped bark of trees that accumulates, for example, after felling work in the forest. Accordingly, there are different types of bark mulch that come from different tree species. Bark mulch acts as a weed inhibitor, mainly due to its structure. Hardly any light penetrates the soil through the mulch layer and the weeds cannot find a hold in the loose material. However, it should be noted that the decomposition process of the bark fixes nitrogen in the soil. At the beginning, there may therefore be a lower supply of nitrogen for the plants. This is due to the tannins contained in the bark and the high carbon content, which exceeds the nitrogen content many times over.
Bark from certain tree species, such as pine bark, fixes less nitrogen in the soil than other types of bark and is just as effective against weeds. Pine bark also decomposes more slowly than the bark material of other tree species and can therefore offer longer protection against weeds and dehydration. Our Plantura organic pine bark, for example, can be used as a biological mulch material, which offers the plants long-lasting protection with its coarse structure. Due to the natural look, the natural bark is perfectly integrated into the garden. Although pine trees (Pinus pinea) are not native to us and have to be imported from Mediterranean countries, their bark is still convincing due to its longer lifespan, lower heavy metal load and low acid content compared to native bark mulch. For the sake of the environment, our organic pine bark is sustainably produced in the EU.
Tip: If despite bark mulchIf weeds penetrate to the surface, they can be easily removed thanks to the loose structure.
Bark mulch against weeds: Here's how it works
Most plants and beds will appreciate the use of bark mulch as it has many benefits and improves growing conditions. However, bark mulch should be avoided in vegetable beds. Here it is better to use straw or comparable mulch material, as unfortunately snails also feel comfortable in the bark mulch. Heat and drought-loving plant species and Mediterranean herbs should also not be mulched. In the following instructions you will learn how to mulch properly and how to combat weeds.
Mulch control at a glance:
- First, the soil should be loosened up with a hoe.
- Then remove the existing weeds completely, including the roots.
- It is best to apply a suitable long-term fertilizer at this point to compensate for the initial nitrogen withdrawal caused by the bark mulch.
- Now smooth the surface of the earth with a rake.
- Now the bark mulch is applied; the layer should be about 5 - 7 cm high so that it can effectively suppress weed growth; if the layer is too thin, weeds can still make their way to the top; do not apply the bark mulch directly to the plants, but leave a few centimeters between the stem and the mulch.
Tip: Bark mulch can also be used in flower pots to control weeds. Finer grain sizes are best suited here, since the mulch layer is only spread over a smaller area.
When should you mulch against weeds?
Because bark mulch offers protection from the weather in both winter and summer, it can be applied all year round. However, beds with seeds or young plants should only be mulched when the seedlings are large enough. As soon as a few leaves have formed, a layer of mulch can be applied up to the base of the leaves.
Spring and autumn are particularly suitable for mulching because then there is little vegetation covering the ground. Since a layer of mulch can contribute to the successful overwintering of perennials, shrubs and co., it is also worth applying bark mulch before winter.
How much bark mulch do you need againstWeed?
To counteract the growth of weeds, a fairly high layer of mulch is necessary. At least 5 - 7 cm, better 7 - 10 cm should be spread so that no weeds can penetrate to the surface.
In addition to weed inhibition, there are many other functions and benefits of mulching. We show how the mulch layer works and the best way to spread it.