How can I tell if bark mulch is of good quality

Quality bark mulch tells its story before you even spread it. Start with the scent: it should smell faintly resinous and woodland-fresh, never sour like silage, a sign fermentation has run amok. Colour reveals age; rich chocolate or reddish-brown indicates recent peeling, while a grey, dusty hue suggests it has sat too long in open piles. Lift a handful and squeeze; good mulch feels springy, with chips that rebound, not slimy clumps that stick together.

Particle size matters next. Pieces ought to be reasonably even, ideally between 15 and 35 millimetres. Too many fines choke air flow, forming a waterproof crust, while oversized chunks leave bare patches. Inspect for hitch-hikers: shards of plastic, stones, or shredded pallets betray careless sourcing. When the bag carries certification from schemes such as FSC, you gain reassurance the bark came from responsibly managed woodland and has been screened for contaminants.

Moisture is best moderate; overly wet mulch heats and breeds mould, bone-dry material scatters in wind. Shake a sample; if only a faint dust cloud appears, the moisture balance is right. AHS LTD ships mulch that meets these checks, arriving clean, fragrant, and ready to guard your beds. Quality endures through a vigorous season.