Bark chips, what a pong!

absfabs

We or more acurately OH has made some nice vegetable beds with wooden surround, the idea is that we don't trample around on the beds compacting the soil.
For the path area, he has layed weed-suppressing plastic/foil, and yesterday he covered this with bark chippings from B&Q.
Looks lovely, nice and soft to walk on.

But it stinks! The beds and paths are in the backgarden, but I can smell it when I get out of the car in front of the house!

It's not a woody/earthy/foresty smell, more like a giant cat litter tray. But it's brand new from sealed bags, layed yesterday, the local cats haven't had a chance yet.

Please someone tell me this is normal and the smell will go soon. (can't possibly scoop it up/put it in car :eek: to take back to B&Q.

WestonDave

Yes its normal, yes the smell will go quickly - you occasionally get a whiff of it later if you get rain on a hot day but I'd be surprised if you could still smell it by the end of the week let alone then end of the month. I think it happens because the bark sort of ferments in the sealed bag.

absfabs

Thanks Dave, that's a relief!

I can cope with a few days of the the stink, am rather embarrassed what the neighbours are thinking, hope they aren't blaming my poor old cat or the compost bins.

Glad to know it's normal and that it will pass.

brogusblue

I have noticed that with all shop brought bark chippings .. Thats why i use bark chipping from our local tree surgeon .. and its far cheaper as well ...

katholicos

There was an offer on bark chips at B & Q so today i bought for bags (400 litres in total) for under £18. This afternoon i opened the bags and started spreading it and it really is whiffy! I think as has been said, it is to do with them maybe 'sweating' in the polythene bags. I've had it before and the smell soon passes, thankfully.

absfabs

Thanks all. Was worried we had a somehow contaminated batch.

Looking forward to plant my new beds now! Should look so much nicer than the old grassy and weedy paths between the rows of veg in previous years, and the weeds were always invading the beds.

Plus much less serious digging in the years to come!

evilgoose

I live in an area surround by 100's of acres of forestry - so buying wood chips is a little against the grain as it were! I bought 4 bags (b&q offer) to surround the blackcurrents - it was a few days ago and the smell has now gone - not that I excessivily minded it. All I have to do now is get a refund from them as they charged me full price despite the offer!

Mankysteve

Is it wrong I like that smell?. after the next rain it'll go.

absfabs

Mankysteve wrote: »

Is it wrong I like that smell?.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I suppose it's okay when you know what it is and that it will go.

The other day, after spreading the stuff, OH was sniffing his hands all night, wondering whether it had been a cat or fox latrine before it had been bagged ....

Anyway, you were all right, it's better already today!

Rotor

brogusblue wrote: »

I have noticed that with all shop brought bark chippings .. Thats why i use bark chipping from our local tree surgeon .. and its far cheaper as well ...

Different product. Bark chippings are just that - stripped from the outside of trees being cut up for timber so are nearly all bark.Tree chippings are mostly wood with some bark attached and will be a much lighter colour when laid down
sometimes "composted chippings" will be offered ; these start off fairly dark but soon lighten in the rain and sun
In terms of function there's nothing much between them - just a question of colour and price

Jnelhams

My worry with using stuff from a Tree Surgeon, is that there is a likelihood of contamination from Honey fungus which would be bad news indeed.