[mrsmarieanne]

I'm looking to put down a layer of tree bark around plants that are growing in my allotment. I believe this will help to stop the weeds that are growing at the moment, although I'm a bit confused as to whether I need to use mesh before putting the bark down?

I was hoping to kill of the weeds over Autumn by mulching so that I have a clear plot next year but I'm also unsure of how long it takes the bark to rot?

If I don't need to lay down mesh and I mulch with tree bark is it possible to mix the bark into the soil next year if it hasn't rotted down?

Any answers about the mesh and mixing bark into the soil would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance!

[snowdrops]

I think you might mean weed suppressant rather than mesh, that will exclude the light & let water through,but if you want to remove it for growing areas next year it would not be necessary to cover with bark chippings. That is usually only done on paths. It also depends on what weeds you have, if they are perennial you are likely to find they regrow unless left for a long time,maybe over a year. You could cover with cardboard first & or manure, then weed membrane. Have a look at lasagne gardening, that's a no dig approach but not really for perennial weeds.

[Goosegirl]

Any form of mulching will help to prevent annual weed seeds from germinating next year. If you put it on now, it should pad down over winter to give a good cover, though it won't stop perennial weeds from growing through it, but you can always spray or dig them up. Bark will start rotting down as soon as it is appplied but will take several years to totally decompose. I'd leave it for nature to work it into the soil, and I'd also top it up each year with more bark chips.

[mumofstig]

I wouldn't use tree bark mulch on my veg beds, unless it was already well rotted.

It works for  paths, and then when it's rotted and all soft and crumbly it can then be shovelled onto the beds.

You could use cardboard to kill your weeds - either on it's own or under weed control fabric. You can also use weed fabric on its  own. It needs to be weighed down with bricks, stones or poly bottles filled with water or earth/sand.  Whichever you choose you could make planting holes through in Spring.