Can I put bark chippings over bulbs and perenials?

As all my perenials have died back in one particular bed it is just a mud pit which my dog likes to walk across or dig in (he has already pulled out 3 plants) - Can I cover it in bark chippings for the winter, to stop the spread of mud into my house? - will the bulbs be able to poke through and the perenials in spring. Sorry I know this question is really basic!

 

Bulbs... yes!.... perenials... mostly!... if they are showing above the surface, put the mulch around them rather on top, but it depends on the type.

... and train the dog not to pull plants up!

 

Thanks for your replies - I'll get it done this weekend. The dog is 10 months old - I am still working on him!

Love EGW x

 

I presume the bark chippings are well rotted?

 

It's not really a problem if there not well rotted it's just that as bark chippings rot down they leech nitrogen from the soil and so it would be a good idea to give a quick sprinkling off fertilizer in spring:flwsml:
and IMO it looks better than pine colored borders:lollol:

 

Hi All
I have 3 small trees i have planted in my front garden and i surrounded each with a wooden edging into a square shape, and covered inside with stone chippings, just to give me an easier time with lawn mowing, i have s****ed back the chippings and planted ,alium,mini daffs etc ,then recovered soil with chippings and they are showing through now quite well.

 

Sounds good - As it happens I will be fencing off said bed anyway - final straw this morning, the dog (or Anti-Christ as I am calling him today) has just destroyed a Magnolia tree I planted there last spring, there is now just one sorry branch left :(

He had only been out there 5 minutes! This weekend will be spent dog proofing!!!!!