Bark chipings for paths

[simong]

Hi all.
I am expecting to recieve some silver birch chipping for my paths between raised beds, is it necessary to put anything underneath them.

[sallym]

You will need to suppress any weeds, so cardboard, newspaper or weed membrane would be good.

[Flummery]

It helps if you put landscape fabric under - it stops weed seedlings from taking hold so readily (they'll still try but it's easier to pull them up!). You could also put thick layers of newspaper underneath. These prevent the chippings from just sinking into the soil. However, it's not absolutely necessary. The path through my veg patch hasn't anything underneath. However, that's had layers of chippings added again and again over several years. Costs a bit more - but it's not a big area.

[simong]

Thanks,
I looked in the yellow pages and found a tree speacalist in the village nearby, they were very helpfull and will give it to me free, they will also deliver, which i thought was great.
Regards Simon

[Dottie]

Great tip to contact a local tree specalist, I've just sent off an email to one near me. Hopefully I'll be lifting the old carpet and replacing it with bark chippings soon.

[IgglePiggle]

Use rubble sacks like you get in the £1 shop and put some holes in it. Helps to keep weeds down as well