Woodchip mulch

sussexbaker

Hi all


This year I've got three raised beds in my vegetable patch, but I'm wondering what to do with the paths around them. The soil is heavy clay, which I've spent the last year breaking up (double digging, added manure and then grew spuds over the whole area) and I don't want to end up with it getting all compacted again. I read somewhere about using woodchip for paths, the idea being that it'll act as a weed suppressant and mulch that will slowly break down. Can I just use any old woodchip from a garden center/B&Q or do I need to go for something specific?


Thanks in advance.

tim_n

yes/no/maybe.

I asked local tree surgeon, I was welcome to take away as much as I wanted.

Got to be careful, some chippings will change the PH of the soil

It'll get beaten in very quickly if it's wet.

Cats like to **** in it.

putting down a membrane first will make it last longer.

forgotmyname

We get loads of it delivered to the allotment. In areas of hard soil I dig holes and fill with chippings to help it rot down and improve the soil.

When dry it can blow away a bit though.

twiglet98

Definitely put membrane underneath or it disappears into the soil.