[MalcW]

Could I use bark instead of straw around my strawberries. This is our first full year with a plot and there's plenty of bark available, as a local tree surgeon drops it off. It's mainly conifer though - would that matter?

Thanks.

[Trillium]

If it was hardwood bark, I'd say go for it. Conifer bark is less desirable because it contains lots of resin that will affect the plants, plus, it doesn't break down very well over the years.