Mulch – which one and when to use it | DIY Garden Projects | Gardening Australia

Mulch is essential for gardens in a drying climate as it keeps precious water in the soil. Nearly everything in your garden will benefit from regular applications of mulch, which acts as a blanket for your soil, keeping it cool and moist.

Mulch benefits:
• It can reduce your need to water by 70%
• It reduces weeds that can compete for water, light and space
• It reduces weed-seed germination and makes it easier to pull out weeds
• Slows down rain run-off
• Insulates your soil and adds nutrients

1:28 Three main types of mulch

Inorganic – includes things like gravel or crushed brick and it’s great for paths or if you’re in a fire-prone area. However it obviously won’t add any organic matter to your soil.
Living – groundcovers that are shading the soil and reducing evaporation. Won’t break down to add organic matter to soil and some plants will compete for nutrients.
Organic – Includes woody or bark-based mulches, or straw-based mulches.

In Sophie’s orchard she likes to use a heavy wood-based mulch that is heavy enough for the chicken to scratch off and it will last for several years.

Elsewhere she uses a finer woody mulch that looks neater, however it will need to be replaced every few years as it breaks down more quickly.

3:18 In the vegie garden Sophie prefers a straw-based mulch, which includes:
• Pea straw
• Lucerne
• Lupin
• Sugar cane
These break down and add organic matter to your soil. Sophie buys what is available locally – usually pea straw mulch – rather than sugar cane mulch that is transported from further north.

Always water well before applying mulch so there is adequate moisture in the soil. Fluff up the straw and apply it around your plants. For baby plants, use chopped-up straw because the regular pieces are too large and will smother the seedings.

Chopped up straw mulch can be applied quite thickly because it is light and fluffy and the water will still reach the plants.

However, if you’re using a heavy wood mulch or gravel, it’s best to only apply a 2-3cm layer so rain can still penetrate, and always keep heavy mulches away from the bark of trees or other plants, to avoid problems such as collar rot.

4:52 Another option with straw mulch is to break off chunks or ‘biscuits’ – each about 5-7cm thick, which will still allow moisture through but will take longer to break down, offering protection for longer. This is a good idea for perennial plants.

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