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Bark Chippings

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  • 19-09-2007 9:52am
    #1
    TOm Kelly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 182 ✭✭


    I have dug a trench one foot wide between the lawn and the concrete path to stop grass growing onto path and make it easier to cut etc. - in fact it looks better too - it is about 5 or 6 inches deep and about 75 foot long ... I will spray it with weedkiller and put down about 3 inches of bark chippings -but my question is: Do I need to put plastic under the bark .. when I have to spray weedkiller again will it go down through the bark ok?

    Also bought mini chippings - did not realise they were so small - but I am stuck with them now. Thanks in advance.


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    #2
    10-10-20
    Registered Users Posts: 7,165 ✭✭✭10-10-20


    Despite sounding like the restart of the Battle of the Bulge, I would comment that bark chippings aren't going to keep down every weed and a general tidy-up is required a few times a year to root out the dandelions and grass blades which poke on through. So yes, go with a polythene sheet under your bark and it will prevent the grass from 'coming over the top'.


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    #3
    GreeBo
    Registered Users Posts: 27,164 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    wont the bark get sucked up into the mower?
    Also I would worry about using a plastic lining, wont that help the bark to rot?


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    #4
    10-10-20
    Registered Users Posts: 7,165 ✭✭✭10-10-20


    Greebo, The bark chippings have a 'life span' of approx 3 years, as printed on the external packaging anyhow, so it's not a major issue. They will need topping up from time to time.


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    #5
    GreeBo
    Registered Users Posts: 27,164 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    True, but Id go with a permeable weed barrier anyway, otherwise you kinda hav a plastic bag full of water and bark...Id say it would be fly city pretty soon.

    Anyways, I just use my lawn edger every few months and its grand...my handy tip is to water the grass before you edge it..makes it easier.


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    #6
    10-10-20
    Registered Users Posts: 7,165 ✭✭✭10-10-20


    Ah - OK, good point.


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    #7
    TOm Kelly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 182 ✭✭TOm Kelly


    OK Got it - the way to go is the permeable which will allow water and weedkillerto seep through.

    No problems here with mower sucking up chippings ... I am on the old 'push model' ... I love the rattle out of it.


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    #8
    Mr Magnolia
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,435 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Yeah, weed barrier cloth. Love those old lawnmowers. Does yours leave the 'lines' on the grass?

    Couple of points on tree bark: It stinks for a while after you put it down. The wind can catch the smaller chippings and blow them everywhere. It has a relatively short lifespan.


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    #9
    Sonnenblumen
    Registered Users Posts: 5,834 ✭✭✭Sonnenblumen


    If you treat the area with a systemic weedkiller like Easyweed/Casoron G, you will not require such a wide band or even require chip bark. This type of herbicide has a number of particular +++ including it kills foliage, root and remains active within 4"/100mm of the surface and prevents any further germination for up to 12 months. Being granular there is no mixing, and is easy to apply, usually between October-April, does not harm any deep rooted established stock like trees/shrubs and best of all can be applied during wet and dry periods.

    Perfectly safe for animals/birds etc.


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