Bark and mulch installation adds organic matter and nutrients to your landscape while also blocking out unwanted weeds and pests.
What Exactly is Mulch?
Mulch is a composite mixture that can be made with many different materials (synthetic and organic) but is most often a mixture of wood chips, straw, and compost. Its purpose is to protect your plants from frost, pests, and competing plants (weeds). Not only does mulch improve the health of your landscape, it also allows us to customize the color and texture of our ground while creating a uniform look.
How is Bark Different?
Bark offers the same benefits as mulch but has greater longevity because it is made completely of wood material. The non wood components of the mulch (namely compost) decompose and are absorbed by the soil over time. This adds essential nutrients but depletes the layer of mulch. Both are great options but it is recommended to fertilize appropriately if you select bark chips.
Best Options:
There are seemingly endless varieties of bark and mulch solutions today. Here are our favorite picks that we offer in bulk at the GRO Landscape Supply store.
Dark Hemlock Mulch
This option is wildly popular for its beautiful dark color and added Hemlock benefits. Hemlock is rich in tannins which work as a natural insect repellent, this tree’s mulch is also famous for not giving us splinter when we’re working in the yard.
Cedar Chips
Cedar chips are highly versatile. They’re commonly found in playgrounds and landscapes here in the northwest. Cedar chips are most notable for their pleasant cedar smell which repels a myriad of insect species.
Medium Bark Nuggets
Bark nuggets have a beautiful orange brown color and provide a wonderfully earthy look to any landscape. Most often made from pine, bark nuggets are yet another awesome option with insect repelling qualities.
Dark Fir Bark
Dark fir bark is a great alternative to dark hemlock because of its lower price. It will fit right in under the many Douglas Firs here in the northwest.
Wood Shavings
Our wood shavings are the budget option on the list and will get the job done in pinch.
For more on mulch, give this article a read.
