Bark mulch vs. wood chips: Which is better for your garden?

Are you seeking to improve your plants’ ability to bloom and thrive? Why not consider two popular, excellent mulch varieties—wood chips vs. bark mulch—to help you with your endeavor?

While these are both tried-and-tested materials with moisture-retaining and weed-controlling capabilities, they have traits that can be beneficial in different situations. And through this guide, you can figure out which one is more suitable for your garden’s needs.

What is bark mulch?

Bark mulch being prepared for garden or landscape application (Source: iStock)

Bark mulch is an organic material used to cover and protect the soil. It comprises small bits to large chunks of the outer layer of hardwood or softwood trees. Its texture ranges from fine and shredded to coarse and fibrous, while its colors are typically reddish, light or dark brown, or black.

What are wood chips?

Bucket of wood chips used for mulching around ornamental shrubs (Source: iStock)

Wood chips are a type of mulch made of different ground or shredded tree parts, including branches, roots, leaves, and trunks. Different hardwood and softwood trees are typically used to produce wood chip mulch, resulting in a range of colors (from light and dark brown to greyish or reddish).

Wood chips vs. bark mulch: Which is better for your needs?

Close-up of bark mulch on the left and wood chips on the right in a split image (Generated with AI)

Let us help you determine which type of mulch is best for your garden, based on factors like cost, aesthetic appeal, and nutrient content.

In terms of variety

Wheelbarrow with bark mulch ready for use in a raised garden bed (Source: iStock)

Bark and wood chip mulch typically come from the same tree types, including softwoods such as pine, cedar, hemlock, and cypress, as well as hardwoods like oak, poplar, and hickory.

To determine what type of bark mulch is best for your needs and which wood chip variety suits your garden, the table below explains the advantages and disadvantages of some of the most popular organic mulch varieties:

In terms of cost

How much is bark mulch compared to wood chips? In general, bark mulch is pricier than wood chips because more labor is required to process it. The cost of a cubic yard of bark mulch typically starts at $30, while the same volume of wood chips typically goes for at least $25.

In terms of aesthetic appeal

Bark mulch being spread in a yard, showing texture differences from traditional wood chips (Source: iStock)

What does bark mulch look like? Bark mulch has a refined and neat appearance that makes it appropriate for a carefully landscaped garden. Meanwhile, wood chips tend to look more rustic, which means they will fit right in in a yard with a casual, natural vibe.

Both types of mulch come in colors, like reddish brown, grey, black, and light, medium, and dark brown.

In terms of decomposition rate

How long do wood chips last compared to bark mulch? Wood chips have a longer lifespan (typically up to five years) compared to bark mulch (usually up to two years).

In terms of nutrient content

Natural bark mulch texture showing fibrous and flaky surface details (Source: iStock)

Are wood chippings good for the garden? The simple answer is yes. Because they have a slow rate of decomposition, they’re able to provide enrichment for the soil for a longer period. However, overall, bark mulch contains higher levels of beneficial nutrients for garden planting, such as potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

In terms of moisture retention

Gardening newbies should know that mulch can help soil retain moisture. But what is the difference between bark mulch and wood chips when it comes to holding in water? In most cases, bark mulch has better moisture-retention capabilities because its smaller particles can easily trap more water.

In terms of weed suppression

Bark mulch surrounding new plant growth in a landscaped garden bed (Source: iStock)

It’s important to use a mulch that effectively prevents the growth of nuisance plants. This is because weed-free fruit or vegetable gardens lead to healthier plants and less yardwork.

Generally, bark mulch is a more effective weed deterrent than wood chips, since it’s denser and more likely to block light.

Keep your garden healthy and pretty with Airtasker

Gardener applying mulch around evergreen shrubs in a landscaped yard (Source: iStock)

You don’t have to handle bark mulch or wood chips on your own if you know where to look for mulching experts for hire. Through Airtasker, you can find a gardener skilled at spreading mulch and selecting the best type for the given situation.

Begin your search for a gardening pro by signing up on the platform and posting a task with all the relevant details, from the service you need done to your budget and location.