A place to learn, share and inspire others to create a haven for you and for wildlife.
Sign In or Register to join the conversation
Hi Folks,
On strike today, and happily sitting in the living room, dividing my attention between Jeremy Kyle and the seed feeders on the stunted, withered tree in my postage stamp front garden. I noticed that the gardening company who the resident's association hire to maintain the common land, are dumping tons of bark chips on the soil around the low, decorative bushes.
Anyway, now that I've set the scene- in wildlife terms is there any benefit to having bark chips as opposed to bare soil? I'm thinking of bacteria, invertebrates, etc. I have little faith in the gardening company doing anything other than prettifying the area, given the general hostility of the resident's association to all things wildlifey.
So, how annoyed should I be that the loose soil has now been covered by bark chips
I even love magpies
Unknown said:is there any benefit to having bark chips as opposed to bare soil?
Hi Johnny
The bark chips help to keep the weeds from growing, and they provide a nice friable home for larvae, beetles, invertebrates etc that birds can sift through.
Best wishes Chris
Click Here to see my photos
I use bark chippings on all my bare soil. It keeps the weeds at bay and looks attractive. The birds manage to dig it up and scatter it all over the lawn, so it isn't doing them any harm I don't think.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
I am thinking of putting bark chips down under the shrubs on my border, if only to prevent the dogs feet getting so muddy when she trecks her route through the undergrowth. She does exactly the same route in and around the conifer and along the fence to see if anything has entered her domain.
I would be interested to hear views on the benefits or otherwise to ground feeders.
Sarah
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bramble67/
bramble67 said: I would be interested to hear views on the benefits or otherwise to ground feeders. Sarah
From our experience when replacing our hedge last year: - we put bark chippings to protect half of it and composted mulch for the other half. So far the area with chippings is the birds favourite. Blackbirds love rootling about in them once they are weathered in a few weeks, as all sorts of creepy-crawlies should invade the lovely new "forest floor". Our robins & dunnocks also enjoy a good rummage in the chippings.
All the best gardens (NT, RHS, me!) use them freely around shrubs to suppress weeds and keep the rootrun moist - and warm moist decaying organic matter is invertebrate heaven.
If the alternative is bare soil which puddles in the rain and bakes hard in the sun - no contest.
Absolutely no contest. Bark chippings every time.
Bramble - it stops the muddy dog paws brilliantly.
I use the bits out of the garden shredder (lopped branches, etc.), which do the same sort of job - and maybe are more eco-friendly, depending on where the commercial suppliers get the bark from (?).
The birds just love rootling around in it, even the non-groundfeeders like Goldfinch and Greenfinch. Keeps 'em all occupied for hours. And because there's a whole foresty look to it, I can get away with doing all those wildlife-friendly (i.e. bone idle) gardening things, like leaving windfall apples all over the place in various states of decay/fermentation.
Cats are quite partial to digging in it to go to the loo as well. I guess that might annoy some folks, but frankly better there than have them dig up your newly-planted seedlings.
On another note, Johnny Mac, I am sure Jeremy Kyle will be heartened to know that he has contributed to the struggle for workers' rights in such a positive way. Arthur Scargill, eat your heart out!!
BB
Personally I hate bark chips they always look messy. I am sure they are good for the soil and the birds but I much prefer to keep the soil well turned over aerated and dug in with compost. Helps when the OH worked on the parks for 40 years and enjoys hard labour !!
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Bark chips are excellent for birds, they help keep moisture in the soil which in dry weather encourages soft-bodied invertebrates to remain closer to the surface than they would otherwise and prevent frost penetrating deep into the soil - particularly useful for young trees and shrubs. They also provide a home for a variety of insects that attract birds and other wildlife.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Susan H said: Absolutely no contest. Bark chippings every time. Bramble - it stops the muddy dog paws brilliantly.
Well that's me off to the garden centre. I was thinking of getting a kitchen floor with paws prints included in the patteren, but thinks perhaps bark would be cheeper. LOL
Thanks all
Hi there
I think bark chips are excellent for wildlife, and bugs that will attract all Birds, Frogs, Toads, and Hedgehogs
Birds, and garden 'friendly' wildlife eat all the garden 'enemies' that destroy the plants,flowers, and veggie/fruit we have in our garden ie slugs and snails amongst a few.
That is how the Organic gardener thinks {smile}
I am sure that there are parks that resort to bark chips to keep the weeds down too!
Regards
Kathy and Dave