Bark mulching in Ottery St Mary

Bark mulch is one of those simple things that makes a big difference. Spread it 10cm deep across your borders and you'll have far fewer weeds, plants that need less watering, and beds that look tidy and intentional. It's practical, it works, and it looks good.

### Why Mulch With Bark?

Multiple benefits in one job: - **Weed suppression** - Blocks light, stops most weeds germinating - **Moisture retention** - Keeps soil damp in dry weather, reduces watering - **Soil improvement** - Breaks down gradually, adding organic matter - **Temperature regulation** - Keeps roots cooler in summer, warmer in winter - **Tidiness** - Gives borders a finished, maintained look

In Devon's climate, bare soil in borders gets colonised by weeds within weeks. Bark creates a barrier that keeps them under control with minimal effort.

### What's Involved

Clear existing weeds, prepare the surface, optionally lay membrane, then spread bark evenly at the right depth. Takes longer than you'd think to do it properly - you want even coverage without gaps, and you need to keep it away from plant stems (bark against stems encourages rot).

### Done Right vs Done Wrong

| Done Right ✅ | Done Wrong ❌ | |--------------|---------------| | 10cm depth, evenly spread | Thin patches where weeds come through | | Clear of plant stems and trunks | Piled against plants causing rot | | Well-defined edges | Bark spilling onto lawn or paths | | Quality bark that lasts | Cheap bark that's half sawdust |

### What You Get

When you book bark mulching with Hembury Contracting:

| What's Included | Details | |-----------------|---------| | 🔧 Professional spreading | Even coverage, proper depth | | 🌱 Border preparation | Weeding and leveling first | | 📏 Edge definition | Clean borders, no spillage | | 🧹 Site cleanup | Excess bark removed, paths swept |

**Plus:** - Option to supply quality bark mulch - Membrane laying if required - Advice on depth and coverage - Can refresh existing bark or start fresh

### Pricing Guide

| Service | Typical Cost | Notes | |---------|--------------|-------| | Spreading only (you supply bark) | £60 | 1 hour labour | | Small garden (1-2 cubic meters bark) | £85-110 | Including bark supply | | Medium garden (3-4 cubic meters) | £135-160 | Including bark supply | | Large garden or membrane included | Quote | Depends on area |

*Bark mulch typically costs £50-70 per cubic meter delivered. Labour charged at standard hourly rate.*

> 💡 **Pro tip:** Mulch in spring after soil has warmed up, or in autumn after you've cut back dead growth. Avoid winter (soil's too cold and wet) and summer (disturbs established plants).

### Perfect For Your Project If...

✅ Your borders are constantly full of weeds ✅ Plants struggle in dry weather ✅ You want a low-maintenance garden ✅ Borders look messy with bare soil showing