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Mulching

Mulching is a vital part of most gardens and it performs a number of functions, including conserving moisture and reducing weeds.  Read on to learn more about mulching and its benefits.

What Does Mulch Do?

Mulch serves several purposes in your garden, including the following

• conserves soil moisture so you don’t have to water as often
• reduces the number of weeds
• minimises soil erosion
• keeps the roots of plants cool
• protects the plants from temperature extremes
• increases the attractiveness of the garden
• makes mowing the lawn easier as tree trunks and surface roots are protected from mower damage

Choosing Mulch

There are several different types of mulches available to buy, so you need to spend some time thinking about how you plan to use your mulch first.  For example, some mulches are decorative while others are more utilitarian.

Organic mulches are mulches that are made from plant materials.  These decompose over time and add organic matter to the soil, improving its quality.  Common organic mulches include:

• Bark – these are made from the byproducts of different types of wood and most commonly come as shredded bark or bark chunks.  Bark mulches resist compacting, do not blow away, and are very attractive.
• Wood chips – wood chips are made from a number of different types of trees.  These are attractive because, as they age, they often turn a gorgeous silvery-gray colour.  Wood chips also resist compaction and are not easily blown away.
• Sawdust – is great to use around acid-loving plants as it can help to acidify the soil.  However, weed seeds can easily grow in this type of mulch, and it can take nitrogen from the soil.  It is a good choice for pathways.
• Straw – is great for use on the vegetable garden as it is budget-friendly, stops weeds, conserves moisture, and is good insulation.
• Newspaper – layers of newspaper can be effective in reducing weeds, especially in the vegetable garden.  To stop it from blowing away, it does need to be weighted down.

Inorganic mulches are mulches that do not break down over time.  They don’t take nitrogen from the soil but there are some potential disadvantages. Over time, stone mulch can migrate into the soil, making future digging harder.  Light stones can reflect heat onto plants, potentially scorching them.  Lastly, inorganic mulches do not contribute organic matter to the soil.  However, they are very attractive and help to make a feature out of your garden beds.  Some inorganic mulches include:

• Crushed stone or gravel – these are available in a huge range of colours and textures and can be used in gardens, driveways, and walkways.  For best results, use a geotextile fabric underneath to stop the stone mixing with the soil.
• Plastics – these are great for keeping the weeds down and retaining moisture.  While they stop evaporation, they also stop water from coming through so it is best used on gardens where irrigation systems can be placed underneath the plastic and gaps left for water entry.
• Geotextile fabrics – these work similarly to plastic with the exception of allowing water and fertiliser to enter the soil.  To stop weeds coming through, choose a fabric that is closely woven.  Generally, these fabrics are used underneath other mulches.

How to Mulch

Before mulching, you need to ensure that your garden bed is free of weeds.  Remove weeds by pulling them out or by using chemicals.  If using chemicals, wait a fortnight afterwards.  Water the soil thoroughly and add water saving crystals.  Lay the mulch to a depth of 7 to 10cm, being careful to keep the mulch away from the stems or trunks of plants.  Finally, use a soil wetting agent on the surface of the mulch.  This will ensure that water penetrates through the mulch, rather than running off.

Organic mulches break down, so they will need topping up over time.  How often depends on the type of mulch used but you will usually need to top up mulch at least once a year.

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