Bark for a play area

[Soir]

Creating a play area in the garden for the kids - anyone have experience of buying bark?

bark specifically for paly areas seems a bit more expensive - is it worth getting this, or will normal bark suffice?
various website, looking at around £170 for 2 tonnes of the stuff delivered..

[Flintstone]

Not 10 minutes ago a dumpy bag of bark was dropped on my drive, £50. Of course if you're buying in bulk it'll be cheaper. Providing it's laid thick enough and inspected for sharp sticks, broken bottles, razor blades and syringes* I can't see why it wouldn't be good enough.

• This may not be necessary if the source is not Glasgow

[matts4]

Just remember to keep an eye out for cats stting in it mind.

Had the same dilema recently, so went for this in the end. More exepensive, but you dont have to keep replacing it, and it doesn't blow around the garden

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

[markh1973]

matts4 said:

Just remember to keep an eye out for cats stting in it mind.

Had the same dilema recently, so went for this in the end. More exepensive, but you dont have to keep replacing it, and it doesn't blow around the garden

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

I'll second that one - bought two large bags last year at £200 a bag. Doesn't blow around, cats don't st on it, doesn't rot like bark does and it comes in a range of colours.

[mrmaggit]

Play bark is graded to remove twigs etc that could hurt little Timmy.

[Onemcs]

Ring a local tree surgeon.

They give the stuff away!

[richyb]

Onemcs said:

Ring a local tree surgeon.

They give the stuff away!

Difference between bark and chip unfortunately.

[duncancallum]

richyb said:

Difference between bark and chip unfortunately.

Pah,they will just toughen up a bit quicker.

[Flintstone]

richyb said:

Onemcs said:

Ring a local tree surgeon.

They give the stuff away!

Difference between bark and chip unfortunately.

Pfffft! Toughen the kid up.

[richyb]

I'll drop you off some chipped Sumac. They'll be the Mitchell Brothers in no time.

[Flintstone]

Which reminds me of my top gardening tip. Never shred pyracantha, use it as mulch and then walk over it barefoot weeks afterward when the thorns have dried out.