Garden Bark & Compost

People Ask

• What is the best garden bark?

  Conifer bark chips are great for landscaping, particularly when used in beds and borders as well as play areas. This garden bark retains moisture well, keeping plant roots well-watered.

  Bark products also suppress weed growth and serve as an attractive top dressing, adding a nice touch to your landscaping. They also provide a nice soft landing under climbing frames and swings.

• How do I lay bark in my garden?

  If you wish to use bark or wood chips on your beds or borders, you can simply spread them about 5cm deep on top of the soil.

  However, if you wish to create a wood-chipped path or seating or play area, you’ll need to dig out around 10cm of soil first and compact the ground beneath, making sure it’s level. Lay weed suppressant membrane or fabric down and make some drainage holes in it every 30cm or so.

  Finally, spread your chippings evenly, ensuring that you lay them around 10cm deep.

• How much bark do I need for my garden?

  100L bulk bags of bark will cover approximately 2m2 each. To work out how much you need for your garden, measure the length and width of the area you want to cover, then multiply those measurements together. This will reveal how many bags you’ll need to complete the job.

  You may find that the area cannot be covered using a round number of bags. If this is the case, it’s worth acquiring more bark than you need, as it’s a good idea to have a little to spare.

• Can plants grow through bark chippings?

  Absolutely - bark is great when you want to suppress weed growth, but your own plants should grow through with ease.

  In fact, the moisture retention and composting capabilities of bark may mean that your plants grow stronger than ever when you use it to cover your beds and borders, as they’ll be kept well nourished.

• What can compost be used for?

  You can make your own compost using a compost bin or compost pile, adding small amounts of food or garden waste and allowing it to break down naturally.

  Try to add your finished compost to areas where nutrients are sparse. It’s great for aiding in the growth of potted plants, for example, or to fertilize soil in which vegetation struggles to take root.

• Should I use compost or topsoil?

  While compost is generally man-made from organic waste, topsoil often occurs naturally. It also contains organic matter, but because it doesn’t usually contain the food waste and other little extras that are added to a compost heap, it isn’t always as nutrient-rich.

  However, a layer of topsoil has just as many benefits as a layer of compost. Topsoil has a greater water holding capacity. Furthermore, it retains its structure much more easily.

  For best results, you can combine equal parts compost and topsoil!

• Can I order online?

  B&M do not operate an online ordering facility for groceries, furniture and houseware products.

  However we do offer an online ordering service for B&M Flowers and B&M Garden Buildings, more information regarding these products can be found at bmflowers.co.uk and bmgardenbuildings.co.uk.*

  *Any free delivery options advertised on the above 3rd party websites apply to online orders only, and only if the specified conditions of sale are met (see T&Cs of sale on respective websites). Free delivery does not apply to in-store purchases. Please speak to a member of staff at your local store to discuss pricing for the delivery of large items.

• Do you offer a Home Delivery Service?

  For large furniture items or bulky gardening products, home delivery can be arranged. Please ask in store for more details and prices.*

  If you are ordering B&M Flowers from bmflowers.co.uk or B&M Garden Buildings from bmgardenbuildings.co.uk , the delivery of these products will be arranged during the process of your online order. All deliveries will be completed by a third party.*

  *Any free delivery options advertised on the above 3rd party websites apply to online orders only, and only if the specified conditions of sale are met (see T&Cs of sale on respective websites). Free delivery does not apply to in-store purchases. Please speak to a member of staff at your local store to discuss pricing for the delivery of large items.