Should I go with cedar wood chips, or fir mulch for ex flower gardens?

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May 17th, 2020 5:36 am

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May 12th, 2020 7:22 pm

User452441 [OP]: Deal Addict; Oct 22, 2016; 1025 posts; 965 upvotes; Comox Valley

May 12th, 2020 7:22 pm

Should I go with cedar wood chips, or fir mulch for ex flower gardens?

I have had to many weeds. in some flower gardens. So I have dug it all up, expect for a couple plants. I do not want to be bothered with it in the future, so should I put down cedar wood chips, or a fir course mulch?

Fair number of these flower gardens, so I will need a couple yards of material, in case price issue comes up.

Photos included of options, of materials.

Images

8 replies

May 12th, 2020 7:23 pm

AriM69445: Newbie; Mar 31, 2020; 14 posts; 1 upvote; Montreal

May 12th, 2020 7:23 pm

I think the flower beds must include some sort of weed barrier fabric underneath to resolve this issue..

May 12th, 2020 7:32 pm

grumble: Deal Addict; Mar 22, 2017; 2911 posts; 4219 upvotes; West GTA

May 12th, 2020 7:32 pm

Cedar mulch. Lasts longer. Put it on thick, three inches. Will block most weeds. Don't need a weed barrier in my opinion. Will have to top it up every three years.

+2

May 12th, 2020 8:04 pm

OttawaGardener: Deal Addict; Aug 30, 2011; 3537 posts; 1279 upvotes; Ottawa

May 12th, 2020 8:04 pm

Any wood chip mulch is fine.

+2

May 12th, 2020 9:23 pm

dottawat: Sr. Member; Feb 26, 2019; 626 posts; 732 upvotes; Ottawa

May 12th, 2020 9:23 pm

No weed barrier needed. Best mulch for soil and plant health is mixed wood chips (e.g. arborist chips). However lots of people don’t like the “natural look”. For a more
Manicured look, consider composted pine mulch. It is available at any good plant nursery. It is dark in color and has a tidier look than arborists chips, and is better for plants than the crap in bags from hardware store that is full of dye.

Here is a good read from a reputable source (ie: a scientist, not some advice from a web content mill) on the topic of mulch.

https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403 ... -mulch.pdf

+2

May 13th, 2020 6:33 am

CaptSmethwick: Deal Fanatic; Oct 12, 2007; 9406 posts; 8978 upvotes; Winchester

May 13th, 2020 6:33 am

Agree with others. Thick layer of wood mulch is all that is required. Yes, some weeds will grow but not many. I prefer the natural look of composted pine mulch to other types. And, yes, topping up every 2-3 years is required.

Upvoting respectful and helpful RFDers since 2007

+1

May 16th, 2020 5:27 pm

protege2k: Deal Addict; Jan 16, 2004; 1017 posts; 547 upvotes; Toronto

May 16th, 2020 5:27 pm

Anyone know of a place to order a bulk quantity of mulch? Have a larger flower bed that needs to be fully covered up. It would probably take 60 bags if i were to get it at Home Depot or Canadian tire.