How do I store leftover bark mulch

When a project ends with bark still on the driveway, treat it like firewood: keep it aired yet sheltered. Choose a corner of the garden that drains freely and lay an old tarpaulin or cardboard sheet as a base. Tip the surplus into a conical heap; the slope lets rain run off while its bulk keeps wind from lifting chips. Avoid piling against a wall, where stagnant pockets foster mould and invite woodlice into brickwork.

Spread a breathable cover—hessian sack, woven landscape fabric or the original bulk-bag turned inside out—to shield from persistent showers without trapping humidity. Plastic sheeting suffocates; condensation will ferment the bark, leaving a sour odour come spring. If dry weather prevails, dampen the heap lightly with a hose to hold fungal dust down and discourage it blowing across paths.

Turn the mound monthly with a fork, breaking any cakes so air reaches the core; this keeps microbes ticking yet prevents the internal temperature climbing enough to scorch the chips. Stored this way, bark stays fresh for a year or more, ready for topping beds or refreshing paths. AHS LTD advises using within twelve months for best colour and texture, and to minimise unnecessary wastage later on.