Mulching The Borders

[Tilly2]

This week I have weeded and mulched about a tenth of my borders. I used chipped bark and have so far used 180 litres. It's going to cost me a fortune!

Anyway, what I want to know is... will the mulch act as a soil improver as well, or should I use a separate soil improver underneath the chipped bark?

[Buenchico]

Quotes:
" Organic mulches, such as chipped bark, well-rotted manure and garden compost, break down slowly and improve the structure of the soil, opening up heavy clay and boosting the fertility and moisture-retention of sandy ones"

and
"Chipped bark: Nothing sets off plants like a mulch of bark - the whole border looks instantly tidier. Choose the grade to match the scale of your plants - big chunks for shrubberies, small chips for herbaceous borders. Bark is a good weed suppresser, but it is expensive and low in nutrients. Available from garden centres; if you want to buy in bulk, it's cheaper to order direct from a local tree surgeon - just ensure the bark is well rotted"

Source:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/mar/01/gardens1

So, if by 'improving' the soil you mean making its structure more plant-friendly, then you'll be well on your way to improving your aim (although, obviously, that's not going to happen until the bark has rotted down into the soil). However if you're seeking to add nutrients to the soil you'll need something else as well.

See also here:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=865

[woofgang]

yes, as it rots down it will improve your soil. When we moved here, the soil was solid clay but we added tree chippings from our (and other) trees every year and now the soil is lovely, much lighter and easier to dig. It might save you money to try asking a local tree work firm if they sell the chipped prunings, this is what we used to use and it was much cheaper than commercial chipped bark. They used to deliver it and spread it for us.

[woofgang]

we used to get fresh stuff put down and it would disappear over a couple of years. It smelt lovely, especially the conifer chippings

[bhg481]

We gave up with bark a few years ago as the birds kept throwing it all over the place and the wind blew it off as well. We replaced it with slate - also expensive but it stays in place better.

[Tilly2]

Thank you for the answers. I didn't think of contacting tree surgeons and actually we do have a sawmill not too far away, Woof.

Lots of reading for me there, Buen. Thanks for doing the research.

This is a big garden, bhg. I think the price of slate would be prohibitive. I'll have a look at the prices.

[Old_Geezer]

Does slate improve the soil ?

[Chipchopper]

In a nutshell, it will surprise weed growth, retain moisture and make the soil light and friable, making those weeds that do appear a cinch to pull up.
Personally I would avoid highly priced bark chippings and try to source material from forestry works. Maybe invest in a small garden chipper/shredder too.

[Chipchopper]

^^suppress ^^

[bhg481]

OG - as far as I know (or care) slate does nothing for the soil but it helps to keep the weeds down and looks tidy.

[ladybirder]

Must make it hard for the blackbirds to get at the worms:-(

[rowanwitch]

Chipped bark will break down slowly but a separate soil improver would be better. It's worth remembering it takes a fair bit of nitrogen to break down wood and bark so supplementing nitrogen next growing season is worth considering.

[melv16]

I use spent hops I get from a local brewery on my allotment. They make a very good soil conditioner and they cost nowt. You can't really use them as a mulch as they would blow away in the wind. You could use them underneath the bark chips, though.

[rowanwitch]

Coffee grounds if you can source them are good too and smell nice.