What is Woodchip/ Mulch and
how is it produced?
Woodchip or mulch (as it is often called) is the product resulting
from the arisings from our tree surgery business. The woodchip is
produced through the activity of aerobic (oxygen requiring) micro
organisms. These microbes require oxygen, moisture, and food in
order to grow and multiply. When these resources are maintained
at the optimum levels, the natural decomposition process is generally
accelerated. The microbes generate heat, water vapour, and carbon
dioxide as they transform raw materials into a stable mulch.
Why use Woodchip / Mulch?
Using woodchip provides many benefits. Woodchip can:
• Improve soil structure
• Helps suppress the growth of weeds
• Encourages the growth of plants
• Increase water infiltration and water holding capacity
• Increase soil aeration
• Reduction of soil erosion and nutrient leaching
• Improvement of microbial activity of soil
• May provide suppression of soil born diseases
• Helps protect plants from frost in winter months
Woodchip is an environmentally friendly product, and is an annually
renewable resource.
How do I use Woodchip?
Before using woodchip / mulch the ground needs to be prepared by
raking, removing any large stones or other debris. It is also beneficial
to remove any perennial weeds. Perennial weeds are nearly impossible
to eradicate entirely, therefore they need digging out or spraying.
As a rule of thumb woodchips need applying 5 – 10 cm deep.
How Often do I Re-Mulch?
Raking the mulch every 4- 6 month will rejuvinate the beds and aid
in aeration of the soil, which is beneficial to plant growth.
After approximately 1 year the soil will need raking and a top dressing
of mulch will be required of about 2.5 – 5cm deep.
N.B These instruction are only general, and other factors may
cause variations.
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