In German hobby gardens, reports of negative experiences with bark mulch on fig trees are increasing. A good reason to question the compatibility of fig trees and bark mulch. Read here which bark mulch is suitable for a fig (Ficus carica).
Can a fig tree tolerate bark mulch?
A fig tree does best withPine bark mulch, thanks to lower acidity and longer shelf life. Unlike pine bark, conventional bark mulch has detrimental effects on a fig tree because it lowers the pH in the soil and initially depletes important nutrients.
Which soil is good for a fig tree?
A good soil for the fig tree in the garden isnutrient-rich, loamy,calcareousand loose and permeable. For he althy, productive growth, a slightly acidic to neutralpH value of around 6.5 In the pot, the fig tree wants high-quality pot plant soil (€18.00 at Amazon) based on compost with mineral additives, such as lava granules, sand or expanded clay.
Exclusion criteria for good fig tree soil are compacted clay soil, waterlogging, little or no lime content and an acidic pH value of less than 5.
Can you mulch fig tree soil with bark mulch?
Bark mulch is onlysuitable for a fig tree to a limited extent. Bark mulch lowers the pH value in the soil to the acidic range and initially uses up many nutrients that the fig tree then lacks for growth and fruit production.
Occasionally, bark mulch is used to protect the soil on the fig tree from frost during the winter. In this case, the mulch layer must be removed in good time as soon as the first fig tree leaves emerge.
Mulching the fig tree with limestone chippings
Recommended alternative to bark mulch on the fig tree is limestone chippings for an extra portion of lime and a neutral pH value.
Which bark mulch is suitable for a fig tree?
A fig tree does best with mulch made fromPine bark. In contrast to conventional bark mulch made from pine or spruce bark, pine bark scores with these advantages:
- Low acidity.
- Less pollution from cadmium.
- Minimal influence on the pH value.
- Longer shelf life.
- Pleasant, Mediterranean scent.
- Decorative, orange-red color.
Pine bark also has disadvantages
A disadvantage is that pine bark mulch suppresses annoying weeds on the fig tree disk more weakly than classic bark mulch. The striking, orange-red color is often seen as a disruptive factor in natural gardens. The long transport route of pine mulch from the Mediterranean region is also worrying.
Tip
Fig tree neighbors don't like bark mulch
With its aversion to bark mulch, the fig tree (Ficus carica) is not an isolated case. Most Mediterranean sunbathers cannot tolerate bark mulch. These include all good plant neighbors that you can associate with a fig tree, such as Mediterranean viburnum (Viburnum tinus), garden hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus), butterfly lilac (Buddleja davidii) and tulip magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana).
