Pine bark for mulching – benefits and prices

By far the most common use of pine bark is as mulch between perennials, on borders, along streams and under trees. Applied at a height of 5 cm to 10 cm, the high-quality material from southern Europe unfolds its many advantages. Professional manufacturers avoid simple shredding during processing, as is the rule with bark mulch. A special screening technique is used to shred the high-quality wood particularly gently. In this process, the pieces of bark are rid of the fiber and bast parts, resulting in shapely wood chips with even edges in various grain sizes (00-2 mm, 2-8 mm, 7-15 mm, 15-25 mm, 25-40 mm and 40-60mm).

• Representative decorative cover with a uniform appearance.
• Clean border between beds and lawn or paths.
• Effective suppression of all kinds of weeds.
• Improvement of the soil structure through long-term humus formation.
• Loose enough to grow bulbous flowers through.
• Very slow decomposition leads to a period of effectiveness of up to 3 years.
• No release of tannins and toxins and no lowering of the pH value.

The notable advantages of pine bark also include the natural regulation of soil heat and moisture. During the cold season, the mulch layer keeps the soil warm and, especially in spring, prevents the dreaded late frosts from penetrating to the roots of the plants. In the course of summer, the bark chips compensate for the rainwater and irrigation water in the soil for longer and prevent the topsoil from drying out completely due to the blazing sun. The microorganisms in particular know how to use these advantages and develop quickly in this ideal microclimate in order to enrich the soil with an abundance of important nutrients.

Use as a floor covering

Thanks to pine bark, it is easily possible to provide the paths in the garden with a natural, decorative covering. Expensive paving work for laying paving slabs or the time-consuming spreading of gravel can be safely avoided.

• Protecting the soil from capping, erosion from rain and wind.
• Flying weed seeds are prevented from germinating.
• Pleasant walking on the slightly springy, carpet-soft surface.

The dampening effect of pine bark as a mulch also has a positive effect on public and private playgrounds. A fall from the swing is much easier if a 10 cm thick layer of mulch compensates for the impact. Furthermore, the little ones cannot slip on it, as on wet lawns, or scrape their knees, as on gravel, grit and cobblestones.

grave design

Given the tight schedule, a dignified grave design poses enormous challenges, especially for working relatives. This applies all the more if the resting place is connected with a longer journey. An exemplary solution is the use of pine bark to cover the grave surface.

• In summer, the grave plants should be watered less often.
• The root area is protected from frost.
• Clean, well-groomed appearance at all times.
• Falling leaves do not stick, but are blown away.
• Pine bark mulch rarely tends to moss.

Ideally, this mulch material should be used in the finest grain size of 0-2 mm or 2-8 mm. A layer 3 cm to 5 cm high is sufficient in this case. Larger wood chips find it difficult to harmonize with the small area of ​​a resting place.

Advantages for indoor use

As long as bark mulch made from native spruce and pine dominated the market, even highly qualified interior designers would not think of using this material in conservatories, large planters in the house or in trade fair construction. The sour smell that emanates from the pieces of bark is simply too penetrating in closed rooms. Pine bark, on the other hand, opens up a whole new world of creative, Mediterranean-inspired decoration options.

• Nice contrast for planting large tubs indoors.
• Natural design of exhibition stands in all sectors.
• Pine trees exude a pleasant, visitor-friendly coniferous scent.

Since the Mediterranean mulch material can be excellently combined with a loose, nutrient-rich substrate, the cultivation of palm trees and similar plants in the conservatory is particularly decorative. In addition, pine mulch has made a name for itself in the demanding care of orchids as a component of epiphytic substrates.

Natural floor covering in the terrarium

For terrariums of all styles, pieces of pine bark are suitable as exemplary flooring. Thanks to the different grain sizes, the wood chips can be perfectly adapted to the inhabitants of the terrarium. The rule of thumb is: the smaller the animal, the finer the grain.

• Animates reptiles to dig and nest in caves appropriate to their species.
• Excretions are completely absorbed by the mulch.
• Pine bark in the terrarium reliably absorbs unwanted odors.
• Turtles and smaller animals can also move around easily.
• Excellent moisture retention without mold growth.

Ecologically responsible pet owners will also appreciate that they are using a renewable raw material without any chemical additives. Not to forget the long durability of the material, which saves the reptiles the stress of completely replacing the soil for 2 years and longer.

Prices

Given the numerous benefits of pine bark wood chips, it is not surprising that the prices are slightly higher than bark mulch. The following information is intended as a guide as it may be subject to seasonal fluctuations.

• Very fine grain size 0-7 mm: 70 liters from 15 euros.
• Fine grain 8-16 mm: 70 liters from 20 euros.
• Medium grain size 15-25 mm: 70 liters from 17 euros.
• Coarse grain size 25-40 mm: 70 liters from 10 euros.
• Very coarse grain size 40-60 mm: 50 liters from 10 euros.

The suppliers of these products always deliver free of charge. In the case of cheaper offers, you should definitely take a look at possible shipping costs, which – depending on the ordered quantity and the resulting weight – are of considerable importance. Gardeners who live near a pine bark manufacturer are happier because they can get the mulching material at the best price. In this case, 70 liters of the finest quality are available for less than 10 euros.

Correct deployment

In terms of use, bark mulch and pine bark do not differ. Both raw materials are chopped up tree bark, which is spread at the intended location in the garden, planter, conservatory or terrarium. In order for the aesthetic and functional properties to develop optimally, experienced hobby gardeners use one or the other trick.

• Completely remove weeds and roots from the garden area or the bed.
• Then loosen the soil deeply with the rake.
• If possible, use an air- and water-permeable weed fleece as a base.

The scattered layer of pine bark should not be less than 5-7 cm thick. Only very fine grains, such as those used on graves, may be a little flatter if necessary. It is important to note that the mulch is never worked into the soil.

If the pine bark is subsequently distributed on a bed that has already been planted, attentive gardeners first put buckets or tubs over smaller plants for protection, which are then removed again. This means that sensitive flowers do not come into direct contact with the pieces of bark, while at the same time the application of the mulch progresses more quickly because you do not have to take every single plant into account. The more the planting in the bed is dependent on an adequate supply of nitrogen, the more important it is to apply long-term nitrogen fertilizers such as horn shavings or horn meal.

Over time, the wood chips decompose and the thickness of the mulch layer decreases. Experience has shown that after 2 to 3 years it is necessary to top up the covering to its original level. A complete exchange would interrupt or completely end the extremely beneficial process of humus formation in the area of ​​the lower mulch layer. An exception is the use of pine bark in the terrarium, since the formation of nutrients is not important here.

Conclusion
Pine bark combines the advantages of bark mulch with the decorative attributes of Mediterranean conifers. Applied as mulch in beds, in planters or on paths and squares, the wood chips promote the microclimate of the soil, suppress weeds, protect against erosion and at the same time serve as a representative decoration. The natural raw material has become indispensable in the dignified grave design, as well as as a beneficial floor covering in the terrarium. Even the interior design has taken the southern wood by storm with the spicy scent of conifers and makes a valuable contribution to a better quality of life. In view of all these advantages, the somewhat higher price is quickly gotten over, especially since it is amortized anyway through the significantly longer durability.