Decorative Bark Provides Many Benefits



Posted: Monday, November 15, 2010

by Jim Osborn
Whittier Fertilizer

There are a few tricks of the trade that landscapers use decorative bark for, but they no longer have to stay tricks for the professionals. Not only is the bark an aesthetically pleasing accent to a home garden or walkway, but it also has a long list of benefits for its use. In an attempt to make your yard as maintenance free as possible, consider this top covering to do your area a lot of good both to the eyes and the soil underneath.

The main place that one may see decorative bark these days and possibly the best way to utilize its natural resources is in a garden area. As mentioned, it is a natural way to combat so many other natural products that could do damage to your hard work. The bark helps keep in the moisture while providing a tight seal against the light to block even the peskiest of weeds from cultivating. The ground covering is a great way to smooth out the surfaces between your plants and provide a safe place to grow your plants as well.

Another place where decorative bark is very resourceful is in the ground covering for children's play ground surfaces. The material is relatively inexpensive compared to the world of protection that it can provide when a young one either runs, walks, chases, or the eventual fall takes place. The springy substance is not only again a wonderful aesthetic touch while choking off underground growth that is not welcome, it is a safe and natural choice to be around children.

In knowing exactly where, how and what type of bark to use is strictly at the discretion of the user but here are some general guidelines. Small decorative bark, averaging 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch in particle size, is used for planters, window boxes and containers. This bark is often referred to as mini nuggets.  Bark that ranges between a 1/2 inch and 1 inch in particle size is generally used for smaller areas in the garden and also in playgrounds. One bag will cover a 6 foot by 4 foot area giving a 1 inch thick surface.  Bark that ranges between 1 inch and 3 inches in particle size is used for large planting areas. To get a rough estimate of what you will need when considering medium to large pieces of bark, one bag will cover an 8 foot by 6 foot area when only looking for a 1/2 inch thickness covering.

When spreading bark in your yard it is necessary to remove all weeds from the area first and apply a layer of at least 1 to 2 inches thick so that weeds cannot grow through. Reapplication of decorative bark is necessary if you want the same fresh look and maintain all the effectiveness of weed and moisture control.

Whittier Fertilizer is a landscape supply center serving southern California since 1930, offering a wide variety of decorative bark (http://www.whittierfertilizer.com/decorative_bark.html). Please visit their website to learn more about how Whittier Fertilizer can assist you in choosing the perfect bark for your landscaping project.

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