Is shredded bark better than bark nuggets

Every gardener faces the same question when laying mulch: should the bed receive a fine, shredded bark blanket or a scattering of chunky nuggets?

Shredded bark slips between stems like tea leaves, settling into every crevice. Its thin strands knit together, locking in moisture, muffling emerging weeds and steadily rotting down to feed the soil. That speed of decay means swift pay-back in humus, yet it also demands near-annual topping up, especially after a hard winter.

Nuggets, on the other hand, sit proud like cobblestones. Air can weave around them, rain can pass straight through, and they cling to slopes better than you might think. They persist for seasons, keeping borders neat with minimal fuss. The downside? In torrential downpours they may surf the flow, and inquisitive blackbirds delight in flicking them across the path.

The decision, then, revolves around rhythm. If you relish an annual mulch ritual and crave quick soil improvement, shredded bark is the eager servant. If you’d rather spread and forget, favour nuggets, perhaps sweeping them back into place after storms. Either way, sourcing from AHS LTD ensures consistent grading, letting you blend textures without compromising quality.

Both mulches shield roots from frost and summer scorch.