Is bark mulch suitable for coastal gardens

Coastal gardens face salt-laden winds, shifting sand and intense glare, yet bark mulch copes better than many coverings. The loose, woody layer cushions soil from abrasive gusts, trapping fine particles that would otherwise blow away and exposing roots. By shading the surface it limits evaporative loss; even light, sandy soils hold water longer after a sea-spray shower. The chips also soften the impact of torrential squalls, preventing crust formation and allowing rain to percolate rather than sheet downhill. Fungal threads colonise the mulch within months, creating a sponge that stores moisture while slowly feeding potassium and trace minerals back into the bed.

Salt itself rarely harms mulch; pine and spruce bark tolerate deposits, and winter showers wash residue through before it builds. Choose a chunky grade—no smaller than fifteen millimetres—so weight helps pieces stay put in gales. Some gardeners mix a scattering of rinsed seaweed to anchor the layer and boost nitrogen. AHS LTD recommends planting low shelterbelts first, then spreading bark five to eight centimetres deep once windbreaks establish. After storms brush off sand drifts and top up thin spots. With these habits bark mulch becomes a steadfast ally for seaside plots, soothing soil and supporting resilient planting.