Can’t decide if I should spread hardwood chips between all the raised beds. On the one hand, the black plastic is uglier than wood chips. On the other hand, the wood chips would capture dirt and leaves and seeds and would decompose with time and eventually I’ll have soil all between my raised beds and plenty of weeds, which was what I was originally trying to avoid. Also, wood chips will make pulling a wheel barrow heavy with dirt more difficult. Thoughts?
by bjornforme
7 Comments
Gravel?
Just use the rotted mulch to top up your beds in the fall and add new? Free compost real estate all around your beds 🤷♂️
I did the chips and regret it for all the reasons you mentioned.
Woodchips are really a commitment to continuing to add woodchips, and to do a deep deep layer. Personally since you’ve got the weed fabric down, I would just leave it like that (I’m not really a fan of adding gravel to garden areas. But it’s a popular option).
No leave the black paper. If anything double it up.
In our old veggie garden, we had weed fabric down between the raised beds, and wood chips and other mulching materials on top. Just as you say, weeds would grow in that mulch and roots would pierce the membrane from above, and be a pain to pull out. Nothing ever grew up from below. As things stand with the plastic you can just sweep between the beds when it gets messy. I would not do the wood chips again.
Good question. I’m starting my beds soon but have to clear space (cutting trees & brush). Was planning to just mulch the grounds but after reading these comments ig I’ll have to find a different use for the mulch. Thanks!