Properties and applications of bark mulch

Mulching - this is the covering of the soil around the plant with a special protective layer to protect it from the effects of cold, wind and sun, to prevent the appearance of pests and weeds, as well as to prevent the soil from drying out and filling it with nutrients. Mulch also performs an aesthetic function, becoming an important decorative element in garden plots.

In the role of "ground shelter" they use different ones - how organicand inorganic materials. In this article we will talk about mulching with one of the natural "products" - tree bark. It has high protective and decorative qualities, therefore it enjoys the well-deserved love of gardeners. You will learn about its useful properties, the characteristics of different types of trees, as well as how you can independently harvest and use this type of mulch using various equipment.

Bark is a raw material of natural origin that combines absolute environmental friendliness, beauty and functionality.... The soil under the bark remains moist for a long time and protected from the penetration of infectious agents, pests, insects and pathogenic bacteria.

Wood mulch is especially popular as an element of garden design.... With her, the personal plot will become much more attractive. A pleasant brown color will go well with green spaces and flower beds, emphasizing their splendor. This mulch can be used to decorate flower beds, frame trees and shrubs, sprinkle berry and vegetable beds, and also use it as a decor for garden paths and playgrounds. And if you want more brightness, you can even change the color of the bark using natural dyes.

The bark of trees has a wide range of useful properties.

1. Due to its dense texture, mulch bark is able to retain moisture in the soil for a long time, so the amount of watering is reduced. It also acts as a natural filter for water, blocking the entry of harmful elements into the soil.
2. Having excellent thermal insulation, it maintains a constant temperature in the ground. During the day, it protects the plant from sunlight and overheating, and at night it prevents the roots from overcooling.
3. A thick layer of bark that blocks out sunlight inhibits the growth of weeds and protects the land around the plant from the weed seeds that can be brought in by the wind.
4. Phytoncides (so-called natural antibiotics) that are part of the bark inhibit the growth of bacteria, harmful microorganisms and fungal infections, prevent the development of gray rot and other diseases. A layer of woody mulch protects the plant from insects and various pests, including soil nematodes, which are very difficult to get rid of.
5. It attracts earthworms to the soil, which increase the fertility of the soil. They supply the roots with oxygen, saturate the soil with useful trace elements and reduce its acidity.
6. Keeps the soil loose for a long time. This allows you to increase the gap between weeding, which can also adversely affect plants with high roots.
7. Contributes to the preservation and improvement of soil fertility. Bark mulch does not allow useful elements that are already contained in the soil to leave it along with the wind and precipitation. And in the process of decay, wood residues stop in humus, saturating the earth with additional nutrients.
8. The bark is resistant to wind and does not fly apart like lighter types of mulch.
9. High decorativeness, due to which it is actively used in landscape design to create various compositions.
10. Another undoubted advantage of mulch bark is that it decomposes slowly, which means it will last a very long time (large pieces do not rot for up to 6 years), unlike, for example, sawdust, which will have to be changed annually. However, this does not eliminate the need to fill up the top layer as the current one decomposes, and on the eve of winter, the bark cover is thickened for reliable protection from frost.

The few disadvantages of mulch bark include the following.

1. It is mainly used for perennial plants that have reached the age of 3 years. It is better to cover annual and young crops with other raw materials, for example, sawdust, straw or shavings.
2. The bark (to a greater extent this applies to conifers) draws nitrogen from the soil, which is necessary for the life of plants. Due to the lack of this trace element, the foliage begins to turn yellow, and the growth of shoots slows down.

For mulching, you can use the bark of any tree. For some crops, mulch made from the bark of deciduous trees (oak, birch, aspen) is more suitable. Consider the individual characteristics of the main breeds.

Pine bark is the most popular and affordable type of wood mulch... It is she who can most often be found in garden and vegetable gardens. It perfectly protects the plant from various precipitation, frost, scorching sunlight and other adverse natural phenomena, while not blocking the access of oxygen to the roots. Pine bark perfectly absorbs water and shares it with protected crops.

With strong antibacterial and antioxidant properties, it serves as a reliable shield against pests, pathogens and fungal infections (very effective against mold). Pine bark also blocks the entry of harmful radioactive elements into the soil. Pine mulch is very fond of hydrangeas, peonies, orchids, rhododendrons; for roses, it will also be an excellent protection option.

Mulch made from pine bark will not only protect the plant and enrich the soil around it with nutrients, but also to delight the eyes of the owner and guests of the garden plot with a spectacular appearance and a pleasant coniferous aroma. Larch bark also boasts many valuable qualities.

This tree is very hardy and resistant to most pests, insects, rodents and fungal diseases. Temperature changes are not terrible for her, so the bark of this tree will not allow the plants to freeze or, conversely, overheat. It retains water very well, which will keep moisture in the soil for a long time and reduce the frequency of watering. Significantly reduces weed growth. Since it contains various oils, it decays more slowly than pine, and its service life is longer. Possesses a beautiful saturated color, so it will be a great backdrop for the "inhabitants" of your garden or vegetable garden.

Such bark is also suitable for mulching. If you have apple or pear trees growing on your site, then after pruning them, simply remove the outer layer from the remote (only not diseased and dry) branches and use it as mulch. However, the bark of fruit trees cannot be placed under conifers (they react badly to it), and pests and fungi are also often found in it.

Bark oak, which contains many important elements, has been actively used in medicine for a long time. But she is able to benefit not only humans, but also plants. The tannins included in its composition scare off pests and insects, effectively fight against fungal infections and other pathogens. It is advised to use it for capricious horticultural crops.

Bark birch possesses high protective qualities, excellent air permeability, as well as an attractive appearance. Birch bark, with its beautiful natural color, makes an excellent frame for horticultural crops.

In terms of size, bark mulch can be attributed to one of 3 fractions:

• large (over 15 cm);
• medium (from 7 to 15 cm);
• small (up to 7 cm).

Large is used mainly as an element of landscape design: it is used to decorate large garden paths, paths between plantings and decorative areas. But it is also an excellent covering material for flower beds for the winter, protecting the soil from freezing. The larger the fraction, the longer its service life. For small pieces, it is 1-2 seasons, the average size of the mulch bark can not be changed for 3-4 years, and large fragments "live" up to 6 years of age.

You can get ready-made bark mulch, but it is not cheap. It will be much more profitable to get and make it. on one's own, especially since it is not so difficult to do it. True, you have to spend some time and effort.

Bark mulch production includes the following steps.

• Extraction of material. We go to the forest for the bark. Choosing felled but not dilapidated trees. The ideal age is 6 months. Young individuals should not be touched - peeling off the bark will lead to their death. Too old trees are also not suitable - they no longer contain useful substances, but they are often "home" for fungi and harmful microorganisms that can infect mulched crops. The bark should be peeled off easily, without effort, and not crumble into pieces. You can do it with your hands, but it is much more convenient to use a hatchet or knife.

• Sorting material... We carefully inspect the received raw materials. We remove areas with mold, bloom and other "suspicious" secretions, and there should be no larvae and eggs on the future mulch.

• Drying the bark... The procedure takes about 10 days. The bark can be dried both indoors and outdoors by covering it with an awning. However, the drying area should be away from the vegetable garden to avoid possible contamination of the crops located there.

• Shredding... This is one of the main stages. Dividing the bark into small pieces is not only required for aesthetic purposes. Harmful microorganisms will accumulate under large layers. You can grind raw materials manually, but the process will take a long time, and the pieces will turn out to be uneven and large. The best way to do this is with scissors, pruning shears, wood chips or pliers. The shredder will quickly and efficiently cope with the task.

• Sterilization... There are several ways to disinfect mulch. The easiest one is to boil in water for 10-15 minutes. The second option is to place the bark in the oven and keep it there for 20 minutes at a temperature of 80-100 degrees. Potassium permanganate treatment will also help rid the mulch of harmful microorganisms.

• Storage... To avoid bugs, insect larvae and other pests, pack ready-made mulch into small rag bags. In them, the material can be safely stored until the moment you decide to use it.

Mulching the soil is carried out in the spring or in the fall... Sometimes this is also done in winter (November-December) to protect the soil from freezing. In the spring, the mulch is laid out in May, when the ground was already warmed up well enough, it dried out and the first weeds began to appear on it. Spring is the best time for the first mulching. In autumn, the bark is laid in September, after the end of the summer season, when useful substances are still stored in the soil.

• First of all, it is necessary to clear the land of weeds and fallen leaves.
• If the soil is dry, then it is moistened, you can loosen it a little more.
• Organic fertilizers are applied to the soil (bird droppings, humus, compost, cow or horse manure). The optimal planting depth is 18-20 cm, so that nutrients go directly to the roots, and through them they provide food for the whole plant. Consumption per 1 m2 - from 5 to 8 kg.
• It is also worth adding mineral compounds including nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
• Bark mulch is spread on the prepared soil. The thickness of the layer is from 2 to 8 cm. It depends on the structure of the soil. The denser and harder the soil, the thinner the protective layer should be. So, for clay soil, 2-3 cm is enough, and the loose sandy substance is covered with mulch more abundantly (up to 8 cm).

In order not to harm the plants and get the maximum effect from mulching with bark, the following rules must be observed.

1. Do not lay out freshly harvested bark, as it contains substances that will block the growth of crops. Therefore, be sure to dry the wood material before use.
2. A gap must be left between the plant and the mulch layer: for shrubs it is 45 cm, and there should be a distance of 80 cm from the trees to the bark.Failure to observe this rule can lead to rotting of the root system.
3. Weeds that will appear after laying out the mulch must be removed very carefully so as not to violate the integrity of the laid out protective layer. Watering is also done without moving the mulch.
4. Do not carry out spring mulching earlier than May. The ground around the plant will not have time to warm up enough, which will slow down the growth of young crops.
5. Cover plants exposed to the sun with a thicker layer of mulch to protect them from overheating.

With the help of bark mulch, you will not only benefit your garden or vegetable garden, but also make it unusually effective!

The following video provides more information on the properties of mulch and how to use it correctly.