Sep 09 2008
Landscaping Products: Bark Mulch
Probably one of the most widely used landscaping surfaces around, bark mulch can be used for pretty much anything. I have seen it used for children’s playgrounds, and if you are trying to incorporate a swing set or mini playground into your landscaped space, then bark mulch may be the product for you, and I have seen it in countless garden beds and walkways.
Bark Mulch is not only a way to protect your flowers and create a layer of weed control but it is also a great way to decorate a space, tie in flower beds or create lovely walking paths through a garden or yard.
There are a number of different types of bark mulch including:
- Hemloch Bark Mulch: This is one of the more popular mulch, it provides a vibrant color that ranges from a dark brown to a brownish red. The mulch is usually preferred since it has a very beautiful smell and it decomposes slowly. This means, less time spent replenishing your mulch. Another bonus with Hemloch Bark Mulch is that it is a “sliver-free” mulch and it provides all the benefits to your garden that other mulches do.
- Douglas Fir Bark Mulch: Another popular product that can bring a rich dark chocolate color with a hint of red to your garden. It is a versatile mulch and it can be used for all of the same reasons that you would use any other mulch. One of the biggest bonuses for Douglas Fir Bark Mulch is that you can purchase it as a shredded mulch and also as a nugget.
- Pine Bark Mulch: This is one of the more cost effective mulches that you can buy. It has a reddish brown color and is usually used to cover larger areas since it is a cheaper alternative to other bark mulches.
- Cedar Bark Mulch: There are several types of Cedar Bark Mulch but one of the best cedar mulches is the Western Red Cedar Bark Mulch. It is a reddish brown in color with just a slight touch of orange and has an excellent smell to it. Cedar Bark Mulch is one of the most weather resistant of all mulches and you will find that fewer pieces will blow away during a wind storm. The product also has a natural herbicide in the bark that helps control weeds in your garden.
And that was a run down of a few bark mulches that you can purchase. If you are looking for cost effective, go with a pine mulch but if price is no deterrent, then by all means go with whatever will look good in your landscaped space.
Sirena Van Schaik
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Probably one of the most widely used landscaping surfaces around, bark mulch can be used for pretty much anything. I have seen it used for children’s playgrounds, and if you are trying to incorporate a swing set or mini playground into your landscaped space, then bark mulch may be the product for you, and [...]
Is it true that bark mulch breeds termites? I do not think that bark mulch is any different than other mulch due to the fact that they are all a wood product. I prefer bark mulch as it lasts longer. I lives in a Condo and we have a landscape horticulist and he states that bark mulch breeds termites more than any other type. Is there documentation on this, and if there is would you e-mail it to me. I do not believe that mulch should be used near a home that is frame. Insects are in this and a wood home need not to have mulch near wood. Is this correct? Thank You