Why use bark?
Bark is the outer layer of trees, shredded or chipped into pieces. Spread over soil it keeps weeds down, holds moisture in and gives beds a tidy, finished look. It breaks down slowly, so it lasts longer than most organic mulches.
Planning the rest of the job? Use the Mulch calculator and the Wood chip calculator too.
How deep should bark be?
How does the calculation work?
Volume (m³) = area (m²) × depth (m)
A border 10 m by 1.5 m at 7 cm: 15 × 0.07 = 1.05 m³. That is 1,050 litres, or 18 bags of 60 L.
What types of bark are there?
Fine bark
Pieces up to 25 mm. Neat look, breaks down in one to two years.
Best for small beds
Medium bark
Pieces of 25 to 50 mm. The usual choice for borders.
Best for shrub beds
Coarse bark
Large chunks that last three years or more.
Best for big open areas
Play bark
Soft, splinter free and laid deep.
Best under swings and slides
Bags or bulk?
Bark bags range from 50 to 80 litres, so check the size before you compare prices. For anything over about 1 m³, a bulk bag or loose delivery is usually better value.