How to Choose the Right Ground Cover for Your Landscaping Needs
TLDR: Choosing the right ground cover depends on your priorities: playground chips for safety-critical areas, bark mulch for plant health and aesthetics, and wood chips for budget-friendly versatility. Each serves specific landscaping needs with distinct benefits.
Selecting the perfect ground cover for your landscaping project can make or break your outdoor space's success. Whether you're managing a school playground, designing a commercial landscape, or planning your home garden, the right ground cover determines whether your space thrives or constantly demands costly maintenance.
The three most popular ground cover options each serve different purposes: playground chips prioritize safety, bark mulch focuses on plant health, and wood chips offer versatility. Understanding these differences helps you make smart decisions for your specific landscaping needs.
At Artesia Sawdust, we've helped countless California property owners select ideal ground cover materials since 1960. From safety-certified playground surfacing to decorative landscape mulches, each option brings distinct advantages that transform outdoor spaces.
Understanding Your Ground Cover Options
The landscape industry offers numerous solutions, but three stand out as most practical and cost-effective: playground chips, bark mulch, and traditional wood chips. Each material addresses specific landscaping challenges with unique benefits.
Playground Chips
Playground chips represent the premium choice when safety takes priority. These specially processed wood fibers meet stringent ASTM safety certifications and provide crucial impact absorption for active play areas.
Critical Safety Features Playground surfacing undergoes rigorous testing to ensure adequate cushioning during falls. The fiber structure creates surfaces that absorb impact while maintaining stability for wheelchairs and mobility devices. This dual functionality makes certified playground chips essential for schools, parks, and daycare centers throughout California.
The material composition focuses on softwood fibers that compress under impact but spring back to maintain protective qualities. Unlike harder materials, these chips won't compact into unsafe surfaces over time with regular use.
ADA Compliance Requirements Modern playground surfacing must accommodate all users, including those with mobility challenges. Quality playground chips create firm, stable surfaces that wheelchairs can navigate while providing cushioning active children need. This accessibility factor makes playground chips essential for any public or commercial play area.
Low Maintenance Benefits Playground chips require minimal ongoing maintenance compared to other playground surfacing options. They naturally resist compaction, drain well after rainfall, and don't require frequent replacement like rubber surfaces. Simple occasional raking keeps surfaces level and safe.
Bark Mulch
Bark mulch stands out as the premium choice when plant health and soil improvement take priority. This natural material breaks down slowly, feeding soil while providing excellent moisture retention and weed suppression.
Soil Enhancement Properties As bark mulch decomposes, it adds organic matter to soil, improving texture and nutrient content. This natural soil amendment process creates healthier growing conditions for plants, trees, and shrubs. Decomposition happens gradually, providing long-term soil benefits while mulch continues serving protective functions.
Superior Moisture Management Bark mulch excels at retaining soil moisture, proving especially valuable during California's dry seasons. The material's structure creates insulating layers that reduce evaporation while allowing rainwater to penetrate plant roots. This moisture management can reduce irrigation needs by up to 40% in many applications.
Natural Weed Suppression Proper bark mulch layers create effective barriers against weed growth. Material blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds while natural compounds inhibit germination. This biological weed control reduces chemical herbicide needs and saves countless weeding hours.
Professional Aesthetic Appeal Bark mulch provides refined, natural appearances that complement both formal and informal landscape designs. Rich, dark colors create attractive contrast with green foliage and colorful flowers. Many landscape professionals choose bark mulch specifically for its ability to make plantings look polished and established.
Wood Chips
Traditional wood chips offer the most versatility among ground cover options. They work well in numerous applications, from pathway surfaces to general landscape mulching, making them practical choices for property managers dealing with diverse landscaping needs.
Pathway and Trail Applications Wood chips create excellent walking surfaces for trails, pathways, and informal garden areas. They provide cushioning underfoot while maintaining good drainage and naturally suppressing weeds along walkways. Many California parks use wood chips for trail systems because they blend naturally with outdoor environments.
Budget-Friendly Large Area Coverage Wood chips typically offer the most economical solution for covering extensive areas. They provide many of the same benefits as specialized mulches at lower cost per cubic yard, making them attractive for municipal projects and large commercial properties with extensive landscaping needs.
Multiple Size and Style Options Wood chips come in various sizes, from fine particles suitable for formal gardens to larger chunks perfect for rustic landscapes. This size flexibility allows property managers to match materials to specific aesthetic and functional requirements.
Sustainable Environmental Choice Most wood chips come from recycled tree trimmings and lumber mill byproducts, making them environmentally responsible choices. Using wood chips helps divert organic waste from landfills while creating useful landscaping materials.
Making Smart Choices for Your Project
Selecting between these ground cover options depends on several key factors that determine which material best serves your specific needs.
Safety Requirements Analysis If your project involves areas where children play or fall protection matters, certified playground chips are non-negotiable. These materials meet specific safety standards that other mulches cannot match. Schools, daycare centers, and public playgrounds must prioritize safety over other considerations.
Plant Health Priority Assessment For areas where plant health and soil improvement matter most, bark mulch provides superior benefits. Garden beds, areas around trees and shrubs, and formal landscape settings all benefit from bark mulch's soil-enhancing properties and moisture retention capabilities.
Budget and Coverage Considerations Large areas needing coverage but not requiring specialized properties often work well with traditional wood chips. These materials provide basic mulching benefits at the most economical price point, making them practical for extensive commercial landscapes or municipal projects.
Long-Term Maintenance Planning Consider your maintenance capabilities. Playground chips require minimal upkeep, bark mulch needs occasional replenishment as it decomposes, and wood chips fall somewhere between depending on intended use.
Transform Your Landscape
Choosing appropriate ground cover transforms outdoor spaces while reducing long-term maintenance needs. Whether you need playground surfacing that keeps children safe, bark mulch that helps plants thrive, or wood chips providing economical coverage, the right material makes your landscaping investment pay off.
Ready to select the perfect ground cover for your project? Our team can help evaluate your specific needs, calculate quantities, and schedule delivery fitting your timeline. From safety-certified playground chips to premium bark mulch and versatile wood chips, we have materials and expertise to make your landscaping project successful.
Call us at 1-800-266-0969 or shoot us an email today to discuss your ground cover needs. Let's find solutions meeting your safety requirements, budget constraints, and aesthetic goals while providing long-term performance your property deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the difference between bark vs wood chips for landscaping?
A: Bark mulch breaks down slowly to improve soil health and provides superior moisture retention, making it ideal for garden beds and around plants. Wood chips are more versatile and economical, working well for pathways, large areas, and general landscaping where soil enhancement isn't the primary goal.
Q: How do I know if I need certified playground surfacing?
A: Any area where children play from equipment higher than 18 inches requires certified playground chips that meet ASTM safety standards. Schools, daycare centers, parks, and commercial playgrounds must use certified materials to meet safety regulations and liability requirements.
Q: Which ground cover option requires the least maintenance?
A: Playground chips require the least maintenance, needing only occasional raking to maintain level surfaces. Wood chips are second, requiring replenishment every 2-3 years. Bark mulch needs the most attention, requiring annual replenishment as it decomposes to continue providing soil benefits.
Q: How much ground cover material do I need for my project?
A: For playground areas, plan 6-12 inches deep (about 1 cubic yard covers 25-50 square feet). Garden beds need 2-4 inches of bark mulch (1 cubic yard covers 80-160 square feet). Pathways require 2-3 inches of wood chips (1 cubic yard covers 100-160 square feet).
Q: Are wood chips environmentally friendly?
A: Yes, most wood chips come from recycled tree trimmings and lumber mill byproducts, diverting organic waste from landfills. They're completely natural, biodegradable, and help create sustainable landscaping solutions while reducing environmental impact.
Q: Can I use regular wood chips for playground areas?
A: No, playground areas require specially processed and certified playground chips that meet ASTM safety standards for impact absorption. Regular wood chips don't provide adequate fall protection and won't meet safety requirements for commercial or public play areas.
