Good call switching to shredded bark mulch—it usually drains better and reduces fungal growth. Still, fungi aren't always a bad sign...they indicate healthy soil biology. Just keep monitoring after heavy rains, and you should be fine.
Switching mulch types can really make a difference, can't it? I've had similar experiences with shredded bark—definitely noticed better drainage after heavy rains. But I'm curious, have you seen any noticeable changes in plant health since making the switch? Sometimes fungi popping up can feel alarming, but like you mentioned, they're usually a good sign of active soil biology. I remember panicking the first time I saw mushrooms sprouting in my garden beds...thought I'd done something terribly wrong. Turns out, it was just nature doing its thing. Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track. Did you have to do anything special to manage those invading roots, or did the mulch alone do the trick?
"Did you have to do anything special to manage those invading roots, or did the mulch alone do the trick?"
Mulch alone rarely solves root invasions in my experience. I've seen roots push right through thick layers of mulch if they're determined enough. Usually, you need some kind of physical barrier—like landscape fabric or even metal edging—to really keep them at bay. Mulch helps with moisture and soil health, sure, but it's not exactly a fortress against aggressive tree roots.
I'm curious though...did you notice if certain mulch types seemed better at discouraging root growth than others? I've heard mixed things about cedar mulch specifically—some swear by it, others say it doesn't make much difference. Haven't tested it myself yet, so I'm still skeptical.
I've had mixed luck with cedar mulch myself—roots still managed to sneak through eventually. Ended up using metal edging buried pretty deep, which finally did the trick. Mulch alone just wasn't cutting it...roots are stubborn little guys.
Mulch alone never worked for me either—roots always found a way around it eventually. I ended up using thick plastic barriers buried about 18 inches down. Cheaper than metal edging and still holding strong after two years...might be worth a shot if you're budget-conscious.
