We go through 2 or 3 bags of this pine bark mulch each year. Ones we've purchased at a couple north Texas stores have been consistently good, but the reviews indicate some variable quality - so, ymmv. Could easily screen out quite a bit of fines from a $3 bag... and make even more if you have access to a shreader. Then there were also some options on Amazon that showed up in my search for the Lowes mulch page.

I checked it out yesterday and it looks like large pieces. I don't have a shredder unfortunately..

I was searching for triple shredded pine bark mulch and this came up. Granted he is talking about Dallas soil and not Houston but.....

https://www.dirtdoctor.com/garden/Pine-Bark-Bad-Mulch-Choice-Newsletter_vq12217.htm

Lowe's used to sell Landscaper's mix which is mostly pine bark mix if you screen them out with 1/4" screen (I think?) in central Texas. That was good enough. I'm forced to use medium sized pine bark mulch that Bostedo mentioned. I use like 5 parts of it, one part of Sta Green potting soil, and one part Turface, whatever. Lots of pine trees around Houston so you might have better luck on finding them. Just look for Landscaper's Mix of any brand.

Call every landscaping-type nursery in your area. Ask if they sell bagged 'soil conditioner'. This contains tiny, uniform pine chips and is the answer to your question which has been asked at least one hundred times on this forum. This is a landscaping product that has been available to landscapers for years and I have used it for years both in containers and as a very useful soil amendment product. It breaks down quickly and aids in creating friable soils. Even clay soils. I also use it as a light mulch on raised garden beds. Helps to retain moisture and reduce watering needs. I have never seen it mentioned on this Forum. Hope you are able to locate it.

LOL!! I would absolutely zero credence to anything Howard Garrett (aka The Dirt Doctor) has to say!! He has no horticultural training. minimal experience (other than self-promotion) and really has no concept of soil science or proper plant care. He is considered nothing more than a joke in the world of professional horticulture.

btw, not all products labeled "soil conditioner" will be comprised of bark chips so be sure to check before you buy. And it has been discussed many times on the Container Gardening forum: soil conditioner discussions

Gardengal, I lived where Dirt Doctor lives for a while... https://www.dirtdoctor.com/about-howard I would often hear about him in Dallas-Ft Worth... no horticultural training, minimal experience?

While I was a member of Dave's Garden, I made a friend who lives in Houston. She wanted to use the 5:1:1 mix and was having trouble finding it. This was a number of years ago, but the internet is forever, so I found the thread, scroll down to her post (Gym Girl) of Dec 20. No guaranteeing the sources will still be there, but it won't take long to find out.

Al

I learned a lot about gardening in Texas from Garrett's books. Just because his recommendations may not be applicable to other parts of the country hardly makes him a joke in Texas.