Covering the soil with organic material is called mulching. The goals are soil protection and soil improvement as well as weed reduction. We recommend pine bark mulch. Discover the advantages!

In a nutshell

  • Mulching protects the soil, strengthens plants and saves time on garden maintenance
  • Pine bark mulch is made from the bark of the pine tree
  • Pine trees grow in the Mediterranean
  • long transport routes are a disadvantage
  • positive qualities outweigh: appearance, fragrance, durability

mulching

Mulching has a long tradition. It fulfills various tasks:

  • In summer, the mulch protects the plants from the heat. The ground heat can be maintained into the night hours, which promotes plant growth.
  • Mulching protects against dehydration, so that less watering is sufficient.
  • In winter, the mulch layer protects the plants from cold and frost.
  • The mulch layer also serves well in heavy rain. It reduces soil leaching.
  • The mulch layer creates a pleasant, slightly springy surface for walking, walking, running and playing.
  • The organic material in the mulch will gradually decompose. This leads to a nutrient input.
  • A valuable habitat for worms, insects and small creatures is created in the mulch layer.
  • Covering the soil with organic matter reduces weed growth, so mulching reduces the amount of work in the garden.

Tip: Bark mulch is particularly suitable for those hard-to-reach places in the garden. The reduction in weed development makes maintenance easier.

bark mulch

Bark mulch is often made from the bark of native tree species such as spruce and pine. The starting material is obtained from forestry. Bark mulch made from the bark of pine trees has also been available in specialist shops for a number of years. The pine (Pinus pinea) grows in the Mediterranean region and has to travel a long way to get to our gardens. Nevertheless, the many positive properties speak in favor of using the finely chopped pine bark.

5 benefits of pine bark mulch

The look

Have you ever seen pine bark? It is reddish-brown in color and contrasts well with the brown of the earth. This contrast opens up numerous design possibilities. If you cover tree grates and paths with pine bark mulch, you get a nice structure on your property.

Tip: The red-brown mulch of the finely chopped pine bark opens up many design options. Bark mulch colored in green, blue and turquoise is also commercially available. Great effects can be achieved with these variations and areas that are used differently can be visibly separated.

The durability

The finely chopped and sieved bark of the pine is more durable than bark mulch from spruce and pine. Pine bark takes three times as long to decompose as the bark of native conifers. The longer service life mitigates the higher price, which is perceived as a disadvantage.

The smell

Pine bark not only looks beautiful, it smells pleasant. The scent lingers for a while after application.

The acidity

Pine bark mulch is characterized by a lower acidity than spruce and pine bark mulch. The effect on soil pH is significantly less.

Notice: The lower acidity of the pine bark enables good growth of useful and ornamental plants. However, pine bark mulch does not reduce weed growth as much as domestic bark mulch. For this reason, the soil must be carefully cleared of weeds before mulching.

The pollution load

The decomposition of the finely chopped pine bark not only takes longer than with ordinary mulch. Pine bark removes less nitrogen from the soil as it rots. In the Mediterranean regions, the cadmium contamination of the soil and thus also the cadmium content of the tree bark are lower than in Central Europe. Therefore, the lower cadmium input when the pine bark chips rot in the garden soil is another advantage.

Disadvantages of pine bark mulch

In addition to the positive aspects that speak clearly for the use of pine bark mulch, the most important disadvantages should also be mentioned:

  • Environmental pollution due to long transport routes
  • higher price than conventional bark mulch
  • less impact on weeds

Notice: When buying bark mulch, pay attention to the smell. The bark of pines, pines and spruces smells pleasantly of coniferous wood. Damp bark molds quickly and gives off a typical mildew smell. When buying, pay attention to the manufacturer's proof, the composition and the dryness of the material. Keep your supplies dry and locked away.

frequently asked Questions

Can all plants tolerate mulching well?

No, the requirements of the plants are different. As a rule of thumb, most shade and semi-shade plants tolerate mulching well. Perennials in particular benefit. The growth of plants that thrive in the sun is negatively affected by a layer of mulch. For raspberries, strawberries and vegetables, avoid covering the soil.

How should the soil be prepared?

Thoroughly loosen the soil and remove weeds. Fertilize the bed with horn shavings before applying the mulch. After mulching, you can only use fertilizer that dissolves in water.

How thick should the mulch layer be?

The height of the mulch layer depends on how finely the material has been chopped. Finer material should only be applied as thick as a thumb. The coarser the bark chips, the thicker the mulch layer can be. Observe the manufacturer's recommendations.

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