Bark mulch has numerous positive properties for plants and beds and makes gardening easier. In order for the effect to be optimal, a certain amount must be applied depending on the desired benefit.
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bark mulch per square meter
When applying bark mulch, it is important to use the right amount in order to get the most out of the chopped tree bark. The basis for the quantity calculation is the height of the bark mulch, which results in a total quantity per square meter. Depending on the purpose, between five and eight centimeters are usually heaped up. The following information is for guidance:
- Benefits: Reduce weed growth: five to seven centimeters high – bark mulch amount around 50 to 70 liters per square meter
- Benefits: Reduction of water evaporation:
- for slow-growing plants: eight centimeters high – around 80 liters of bark mulch per square meter
- for fast-growing plants, such as ground cover and grasses: three to five centimeters – around 30 to 50 liters
per square meter
- Use: as a footpath substrate: ten centimeters high – bark mulch quantity around 100 liters per square meter
Packaging in kilograms
Bark mulch is often offered in sacks with a kilogram weight. It should be noted here that one kilogram is not equal to one liter. Above all, a distinction must be made between fine and coarse unfermented tree bark, because smaller bark particles have a smaller volume and therefore weigh significantly more kilograms for the same amount of liters. A change from kilograms to liters is easy to do with the following calculation:
- Fine types of bark mulch: add half of the kilogram specification – example: 25 kilograms correspond to about 50 liters
- Coarse types of bark mulch: Kilograms correspond to about a quarter of liters – example: 12.5 kilograms are about 50 liters
save money
If the growth of weeds is to be curbed with bark mulch, money can be saved here by using less of the unfermented pieces of tree bark by inserting a weed fleece. However, this requires a certain amount of time and work beforehand, because the weed fleece must first be laid out on the surface of the earth. Then the bark mulch is applied. Due to the fleece, half of the height can be saved. Instead of 50 to 70 liters, for example, only between 25 and 35 liters need to be distributed per square meter. The money saving is therefore around 50 percent.
frequently asked Questions
Theoretically yes, but in practice it must be taken into account that the unfermented tree bark is not suitable for all beds. This is the case with strawberry, vegetable and raspberry plants, among others. An application should be avoided here.
That depends on how high it is before winter begins. If it is to serve as protection against the cold, a height of ten centimeters is ideal. This corresponds to 100 liters per square meter. The layer should not be higher, as the risk of mold increases in very humid weather.
As soon as there is a clear difference between the recommended and the existing height, a new stratification should take place. As a rule, a check every six to eight weeks is sufficient.
