Ideal thickness
The mulch layer can be between four and ten centimeters thick. The thinner the cover, the lower the protection against the emergence of weeds. In order to suppress such weeds, they should not be less than seven centimeters thick. The type of area and the plants growing in the bed also play a role.
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Orientation values:
- Grasses, ground covers and perennials: four to five centimeters
- Tree slices, bushes and hedges: five to eight centimeters
- Garden paths and play areas: ten centimeters
Combine mulch pad and fleece
If you have beds with a Weed control(€ 13.47 at Amazon *) cover, costs can be saved. They suppress the growth of light and dark germs, so you can reduce the amount of chopped bark by half. The drawback is the demarcation between the soil and the substrate, which restricts the microorganisms living in the soil.
Calculating the amount
According to general recommendations, ten liters of bark mulch per centimeter of mulch layer per square meter are recommended. A seven-centimeter-thick layer requires 70 liters. For this you have to reckon with costs of ten to 20 cents per liter. If you choose the variant with Garden fleece and a three-centimeter-thick blanket, the amount is reduced to 30 liters and the expenditure for the mulch material is cut by more than half.
Tips
To calculate the need for mulch substrate in liters, multiply the area in square meters by the desired layer thickness in centimeters and the number ten. It represents the number of liters required per centimeter of mulch layer.
How much does bark mulch weigh?
The substrate is a natural product, the weight of which is influenced by various factors. Not only the type of bark plays a role, but also the composition of the end product and its moisture content. A sack of wet material weighs more than dried bark. Wood chips absorb less moisture than porous pieces of bark. Fills with a smaller grain size have a different weight than the same volume of mulch material with a larger grain size. Because of these highly variable differences in weight, it is common for garden centers to offer bark mulch in liters.
Alternatives to bark mulch
Garden waste offers an option to purchased mulch materials, which are generated free of charge and close the nutrient cycle in the garden. The classic variant for a mulch cover is compost that is not fully mature and has a high proportion of coarse components. Autumn leaves from healthy trees and bushes as well as clippings from grasses or hedges provide an ideal mulch substrate. The shredded stalks of Chinese silver are popular. If you are looking for ecological ground cover, the focus is on ground cover and native wild herbs.