There are various factors that influence the amount of mulch substrates required. What is important is the layer thickness that should be applied. It differs depending on the type of area and the plant cover. You can save costs with garden waste.
How do you calculate the amount of bark mulch required?
How much bark mulch is needed depends on the type of area and plants. Recommendations: Grasses, ground cover, perennials (4-5 cm), tree discs, shrubs, hedges (5-8 cm), garden paths and play areas (10 cm). Calculation: Area (m²) x layer thickness (cm) x 10 liters.
Ideal thickness
The mulch layer can be between four and ten centimeters thick. The thinner the cover, the less protection against the emergence of weeds. To suppress such weeds, you should not let the thickness be less than seven centimeters. The type of area and plants growing in the bed also play a role.
Orientation values:
- Grasses, ground cover and perennials: four to five centimeters
- Tree slices, bushes and hedges: five to eight centimeters
- Garden paths and play areas: ten centimeters
Combine mulch layer and fleece
If you cover beds with a weed fleece (€19.00 on Amazon) before planting, you can save costs. It suppresses the growth of light and dark germs, allowing you to reduce the amount of shredded bark by half. The disadvantage is the demarcation between the soil and the substrate layer, which restricts the microorganisms living in the soil.
Calculating the quantity
According to general recommendations, ten liters of bark mulch per centimeter of mulch layer per square meter is recommended. A seven centimeter thick pad requires 70 liters. For this you have to expect costs of ten to 20 cents per liter. If you choose the variant with garden fleece and a three centimeter thick blanket, the amount is reduced to 30 liters and the costs for the mulching material are reduced by more than half.
Tip
To calculate the amount of mulch substrate required in liters, multiply the area in square meters by the desired layer thickness in centimeters and the number ten. It represents the liters required per centimeter of mulch layer.
How much does bark mulch weigh?
The substrate is a natural product in which the weight is influenced by various factors. Not only the type of bark plays a role, but also the composition of the end product and its moisture content. A bag of wet material weighs more than dried bark. Wood chips absorb less moisture than porous pieces of bark. Fills with a small grain size have a different weight than the same volume of mulch material with a higher grain size. Due to these highly variable weight differences, it is common for garden centers to offer bark mulch in liters.
Alternatives to bark mulch
Garden waste offers an option to purchased mulches that are free and close the nutrient cycle in the garden. The classic variant for a mulch cover is compost that is not fully mature and has a high proportion of coarse components. Autumn leaves from he althy trees and bushes, as well as clippings from grass or hedges, provide ideal mulching substrate. The chopped stems of miscanthus are popular. If you are looking for ecological ground covers, the focus is on ground cover plants and native wild herbs.
