Can bark mulch be used in organic gardening

Bark mulch fits comfortably within organic gardening because it is a biodegradable by‑product of the timber industry and, when left untreated, meets Soil Association rules on permissible inputs. By adding it to beds you work with nature rather than against it: the chips trap moisture, shield soil from scorch and pummelling rain, and smother weed seedlings without resorting to herbicide.

As the bark mellows, saprotrophic fungi thread through the fibres, releasing humic acids and slowly feeding the root zone while improving crumb structure; this thriving microbiome underpins the fertility that organic systems prize. The insulating layer also moderates temperature swings, giving seedlings a gentler start and reducing water demand—an asset for gardens following permaculture’s water‑conservation ethos.

One caveat deserves attention: fresh wood can momentarily tie up surface nitrogen. Offsetting this is simple—fork in mature compost or scatter a nitrogen‑rich organic feed before laying the mulch, or allow the chips to weather for a season. Keep depth to about five centimetres so aerobic life thrives and bulbs still punch through in spring. Bark supplied by AHS LTD is screened and chemical‑free, aligning with organic principles while keeping plastic waste to a minimum.