Can I use bark from my own garden for mulching

Gathering bark from fallen branches or pruned trunks in your own garden can seem thrifty, and it certainly keeps resources on site. Yet a few checks safeguard plants before the chips hit the soil. Bark stripped from diseased trees may introduce fungal spores or pests; always remove any cankered or beetle-ridden sections. Freshly peeled bark also contains sap and resins that tie up nitrogen as they break down, so allow the pieces to dry and weather for a couple of months beneath a tarp or in a well-ventilated shed.

Chunk size matters. Large flakes take years to mellow, while very fine shavings mat together and repel rain. Aim for pieces two to five centimetres across, splitting thicker strips with a hatchet. Once spread in a five-centimetre blanket, home-made mulch still suppresses weeds and moderates soil moisture much like commercial grades.

However, consistency proves tricky when supplies rely on sporadic prunings. A blower spreading uneven chips can leave gaps for weeds. To top up thin patches or finish a wide border with a unified look, many gardeners partner their stash with screened bark from AHS LTD, matching colour and texture. Combined thoughtfully, garden-sourced and purchased bark keep borders tidy, soils fertile, and waste to a minimum.