Garden Bark Chips and Mulch
Keen gardeners will know the value of laying chips or mulch to flower beds and decorative areas of their garden. The types of chips and mulch vary, and they all have slightly different properties. So, it's worth considering how you want your garden to look, whether you want something that will improve your soil quality, and what your budget is.
Thinking about these factors will help you in your search, but you can also look at new and used products. The latter are often reclaimed from other areas or agricultural-type businesses.
Bark and Chips
Wooden bark and chips are biodegradable, which is a big plus for some gardens. As they break down, they'll add nutrients to the soil. At the same time, they are an attractive feature for any style of garden.
Products include decorative woodland bark, softwood play area chippings and pinewood bark. You can also find horse manure mulch and other nutrient providing products if that's your main aim.
Slate and Stone
Although they won't add nutrients to your soil, slate and stone chips are a popular decorative feature. They also suppress weeds and keep your soil moist. Prices can vary depending on the type of material you're looking at.
Examples include plum slate and blue slate, which is at the higher end of the price range, to different coloured gravel at the lower end. You can also find multicoloured stone beads, pricier limestone and colourful crystals.
Rubber Mulch
One of the advantages rubber or stone mulch has over wood, is that it doesn't need to be replaced as often. This could make it more low maintenance, and it still suppresses weed growth. It's also springy, which makes it a safe covering for smaller children. You can find packs of rubber chippings for an affordable price, and larger bags for a less than most stone varieties.