Mulch around shrubs.

[ryblu]

Hi all, we are in the process of extending beds and putting chipped bark around the shrubs as we go. Can anyone suggest a cheap supplier of chipped bark in Mid Kent? the last bag I bought was £6 from B+Q and will work out quite expensive for all our garden. Some Garden Centers do 3 bags for £10, whats the best deal anyone has seen please. Also have noticed on Wyevale web site they do bags of chipped bark, and bags of mulch and mix, anyone know what the difference is please. Thanks, Ray.

[ryblu]

[Palustris]

I do not know about Kent, but round here most of the Builder's Merchant type outlets sell bark type mulch by the ton rather than little bags like B&Q etc.  Have a look in your Yellow Pages under Garden Supplies and see if there are any advertising or try the small ads in your local paper for suppliers.
Mix and Mulch is more of a composted bark material to add to soil as a conditioner than a top dressing.

[ryblu]

Thanks for the info about the mix and mulch. Most of our beds contained fir trees or lilac which we have removed over the last 2 1/2 years, and as the soil is very sandy (it was heathland years ago) it might be a good idea to put that around the shrubs and then fill in between with chipped bark? Ray.