Woodchips and garden bark chippings not only look great -they are good for your garden too!

Wood chips are a useful, hassle-free way of making your garden look great, and have been a garden staple for both novice and veteran gardeners for many years. Whether you are looking to create a fresh new look, want to create a pathway or border, or need to cover a section of your garden that’s gotten a little tired, wood chips and garden bark are both great options. But what many people don’t realise is they can actually help your garden flourish at the same time!

So what can you do with garden wood chips and bark chips? Here are just some of their many fantastic uses.

Mulching

Mulching is a fantastic way to keep your soil in great condition. Covering the soil with a layer of mulch helps it to retain water, and also deters and suppresses weeds from growing through the soil and spoiling your gardens well-kept look.

Contract Ornamental Bark is a popular choice which looks attractive in flower beds or garden pots, making them easier to maintain. A screened mixed Woodchip is another useful option which won’t break the bank, and helps to dress beds and keep weeds at bay.

Both of these compost very slowly, and therefore are very economical – they will only need topping up occasionally, and will keep your garden healthy and looking great for many months to come.

In your garden borders

A layer of garden wood chippings around your garden’s border will create a barrier on top of the soil which makes it difficult for weeds to grow through.

Achieving this look couldn’t be easier.  All you need to do is scatter a layer around 7.5cm thick over your borders, on well-nourished soil and you will have immediate protection.

Spring is the perfect time to do this as the chippings will also protect the roots of flowers and plants from being damaged by the heat of the sun, and help prevent the soil from drying out.

Bear in mind that you need to use chippings which have been specially made for mulching – fresh chippings do not work in the same way and can absorb nitrogen from the soil which is needed to allow plants to grow. The layer of chippings also adds texture and warmth to your garden and keeps it looking neat and tidy too.

In the pots

Garden wood or bark chips can also be useful to cover the soil in plant pots and in hanging baskets, though use finer, smaller chippings if you are going to do this.

This will keep your garden looking uniform and the same benefits for your pot plants and hanging baskets will be achieved – keeping the soil protected and moist, which means you don’t have to worry about such regular watering during the hot summer months.

You can expect to see your pot plants, and all those covered in bark or wood chips, grow quickly as the chips help to encourage plant growth as well as nourish and aerate the soil.

For pathways

A pathway of wood or bark chippings can be a great feature in any garden, creating neat sections and helping to give an impression of space.

If you want a garden path, but would prefer to do it on a budget, chippings are an excellent, low maintenance choice as an alternative to hard pathway materials which take considerably more time, money and effort to lay down.

To achieve the look make sure you put down a membrane between the soil and chippings which you should puncture with holes so water can easily drain through. Your pathway of chippings needs to be quite deep – around 10cm is best, so ensure that you have dug deep enough to be able to achieve this.

For children’s play areas

Playbark is a excellent material for children’s play areas. This durable material is easy to install and makes for a fantastic looking space for children to play in safely – helping to prevent accidents or injuries.  Our play bark is a carefully selected, 100% natural British pine with a lovely pine odour. It is perfect for play areas but can also be used to suppress weeds, and keeps soil moist and healthy too.

What kind should you buy?

There is a wide range of bark and wood chippings available, and they come in a variety of colours so you can find one that you feel will best complement your garden’s ‘look.’

At Bury Hill, our bark and woodchips are perfect for creating a natural, rustic look in your garden, and our top quality play bark is perfect for children’s outdoor spaces.

If you would like to buy wood chippings for your garden, and would like any advice on what kind would be most suitable for your project, why not call our friendly, expert team on 01306877540 or drop us an email today? 

Redesigning your garden is a big project, and one that requires a great deal of planning and thought. When you make the decision to put time and money into creating the perfect oasis right outside your door, you want to make sure you get it right. Choosing the right landscaping materials for your project is one of the biggest decisions you will make when it comes to redesigning your garden, and one you don’t want to get wrong. There are several factors to consider when choosing your materials, and with so many landscaping suppliers and landscaping companies out there offering different advice and materials it can often be overwhelming.

Preparing questions that you should ask landscaping companies is a great way to ensure that you get all the information you need before choosing the materials for your landscaping project, and any reputable landscaping company will be happy to give you lots of information and advice to help you choose. Here at Bury Hill we have listed five things below for you to consider when choosing the materials for your landscaping project.

1. Make a plan

The most important piece of preparation is to create a plan of exactly how you want your garden to look when it is done. Map out a visual drawing of the area you are working on and where the sun hits each part at what time of day. That way you can ensure when it comes to planting that you select plants that will thrive in your landscape. You should remember that your garden or outside space has a little microclimate all of its own, and everything from the soil type, hours of sunshine, even the slope of the land will affect which plants and materials will work best.

2. Think about who are you designing your garden for?

There are many different purposes for a garden which are important when consider when planning out your garden:

• Is it a calming place where adults can relax?
• Do you want to use it as a social space?
• Do you want to dine outside?
• Do you have children who will want to run around and play?
• Do you have pets that might want to scratch or chew, or dig things up?

It is very important to have a clear idea of the functionality of the garden so that you can source the right materials as well as ensuring that the whole family are happy with the finished product.

3. How easy does your garden need to be to maintain?

How much work are you willing to put in to keep it looking good? How often realistically will you be using it? These are important points to consider when deciding on what materials you need to buy. If you want a garden that you can leave to its own devices then bare that in mine when you are buying your materials. If you want a garden that is also a hobby then equally source the correct materials to ensure it meets those demands.

For any advice and information just call us on 01306 877540

4. What kind of style do you want your garden to be?

Have a clear idea of the style of your garden, often the most beautiful and successful landscaping projects are built around particular themes. Do you want a scented garden, one bursting with flowers and colour, a serene place to stretch out and relax, or perhaps even an Oriental garden? Of course if your outside space is big enough you can create different spaces and zones within it. Have a planting strategy and use different hardscapes to separate areas. Build walkways in-between the areas to guide people to them. It is good to consider your personal tastes and often looking to the style of your home can help you decide. Do you like things to be clean, neat and ordered or do you prefer a softer more romantic feel? Getting the style right is imperative to ensure you get the most out of your garden.

5. Pick plants that work for you

Another important piece of landscaping advice it to ensure you pick the right plants for you. Plants can be used in a variety of ways to give your garden shape and structure. You can use them to create neat borders, to corner off different sections and also to provide beautiful visual scenery. If you have an area of the garden you want people to, pay particular attention to using striking, bright plants will highlight this. You can also think about other materials such as plant pots, ornaments and clever outdoor lighting to make your garden look exactly as you want it to be.

If you live in a noisy area, choosing the right plants can make a huge difference when it comes to creating a little oasis of calm. Selecting denser trees and bushes will help block out unwanted noise, as will selecting sturdy fencing materials will help insulate your garden from noise outside it.

A landscaping project is truly exciting, and the satisfaction of creating your own perfect outdoor space is very rewarding. Planning in advance and asking the right questions early on can save you time and money and ensure the end result is exactly what you had in mind. At Bury Hill we supply high quality landscaping materials including; lawn turf, decorative stone and building aggregates. Contact us with any questions or for a free quote. - http://www.buryhilltopsoilandlogs.co.uk/contact_us.php

Picking the right pre-rolled lawn turf is only the first step to achieving a luscious garden you can be proud of. You can spend hours and hours selecting a top product, but without the right aftercare you won’t get the results you’re looking for.

The key is in remaining consistent. Your lawn needs attention on a weekly, if not daily basis – ensure it’s kept just as you would like it by following these tips.

Watering Your Lawn Turf

The main thing you should think about is keeping your lawn turf moist, especially if it’s brand new. Do your best to make sure it doesn’t dry out, or you’re setting yourself up for failure right from the get go!

For the first week, water your lawn turf 2-3 times per day. You can use automatic sprinklers to make the process a little easier, and there are absolutely loads of different systems that work well and automate the process. Set your system to work for half an hour to 45 minutes per watering session. If you notice your lawn going brown, increase the amount of times you water the garden.

It’s important to cover absolutely all areas of your turf, paying specific attention to the corners and outer edges. These areas are particularly vulnerable to being missed by many sprinkler systems, so it’s key to ensure that you distribute the water evenly.

Once the week is up, once per day should be enough for the rest of the month. You can even reduce the sprinklers to work for just 15 minutes daily. Depending on the dryness of your climate, you can reduce watering to just a couple of times per week.

If you’re laying your lawn turf you should really start watering within half an hour after it has been laid over your topsoil. Apply at least 2 – 3cm of water so the soil beneath the turf is very wet.

Some soils may result in ‘runoff’, especially in sloped areas of your lawn. If you notice ‘runoff’ occurring turn off the water and restart within 30 minutes to an hour. Hopefully this will ensure adequate soaking-in taking your lawn one step closer to a lawn you can be proud of.

Tips for Mowing your Garden Lawn

If you’ve just installed your new lawn, you don’t need to start heavy mowing straightaway. A light trim is enough after a fortnight of leaving nature to do its work. After that, you should look at mowing every 7-14 days if possible.

Depending on your lawn, adjust your lawnmower accordingly. For example, couch lawns should be trimmed to around 15 to 25mm, while buffalo lawns required 45 to 60mm to stay healthy.

If you’re not quite sure on the ideal length, check with a professional or the shop you originally bought your lawn turf from. They will tell you exactly what you should be doing.

Fertilising Your Lawn Turf

Keeping those lovely juicy nutrients reaching your lawn turf is one of the best ways to keep your garden in tiptop condition. Apply these on a regular basis – every 6 to 8 weeks is preferable.

Remember to get your hands on a quality product, not cheap chemical fertilisers. These may save you a couple of pounds, but in the long run will simply damage your garden by not giving it the nutrients it needs.

Finally, keep in mind that each fertiliser product uses its own compounds and mixtures, meaning they each need to be treated differently. Follow the instructions to the letter to get the best results.

Ask The Professionals

Don’t be afraid to turn to professional help, even if you have quite a good amount of experience in gardening. It’s important to get the framework of how you should take care of your lawn turf correct right from the get go – that way, you set yourself up for a healthy lawn that will stand the test of time.

It’s possible to employ a third-party for a consultation, where they will give you the required information to do everything yourself once he or she has left. That way, you don’t have to pay for a professional to do your garden, but you can deliver a similar level of care yourself.

Article written by Bury Hill Landscape Supplies Ltd.

Bury Hill Landscape Supplies Ltd. provides a wide range of landscape gardening products to all areas of the UK, including premium grade topsoils, lawn turfs, seasoned firewood logs, organic composts and soil conditioners.

Visit www.buryhilltopsoilandlogs.co.uk or call 01306 877540 for more information.

Many budding gardeners think of making organic compost as complex and difficult, a process that’s set apart for those with years of experience. Not so! If you use the right ingredients and get just a small shove in the right direction, all that’s left is letting nature do its job. 

The Ingredients of organic compost

A compost heap looks like a big black/brown mess – it’s difficult to figure out what was once there. However, once you get the hang of it, you’ll instantly know what’s suitable and what isn’t. This is a rough guideline for what you should be looking for:

• Anything that was once a living a thing will compost. However, that doesn’t mean you should use them all. For example, anything that will attract vermin should be avoided. This includes dairy products and meats.

• Mixtures always work best. Don’t overload your compost with one type of ingredient over another. Get an equal percentage of greens and browns in there and you should be golden. Over time, experience will teach you the exact combination that will work for you.

• Use ingredients that rot very quickly, as these can get your compost up and running before you know it. Make sure you combine them with other items, however; otherwise your compost will not get the results you need (i.e. you’ll get a smelly mess!). Look for things like weeds and grass.

• Older plants that are a bit tougher will give your compost the body and framework it needs. They will rot more slowly and combine well with the activators mentioned above.

• Finally, you need the right amount of water. Without it, your compost heap will not develop appropriately.

Where to Keep the Compost Pile?

We usually recommend building or buying your own bin. While it’s possible to simply have a pile that’s covered y cardboard or polythene, it doesn’t look very neat!

When buying or building your own, look for the following:

• Easy to access
• No gaps
• Cover or lid should be included

Place your win in a sunny location, right on top of the soil. Remember to keep it away from water lines!

When To Do It

We recommend making your compost heap during the spring, as the organic materials will rot down much more quickly. It’s possible to do it any time of year, however, so don’t let a given season get in your way!

Why Compost In the First Place?

If you’re not yet convinced by the advantages of composting, then they probably haven’t been presented to you properly. Once you fully grasp the benefits, you’ll never go back:

• Improves soil quality, retaining moisture and keeps disease at bay
• You won’t need horrible chemicals to help your soil, instead you’ll rely on the power of nature
• Lowers your carbon footprint by minimising methane emissions

Need More Help?

There are plenty of resources that can help you build your own compost heap, but if you’ve never done it before it’s worth getting advice from the professionals or someone who has done it before.

It’s best to be guided, but not having your hand held the entire way. This ensures you learn to do it by yourself, but get the tips you need at the right junctures.