and store it to irrigate your garden

Inorganic mulches, such as pebbles, play both an aesthetic and a practical role in the garden This protective layer is a gardener’s secret weapon – plus a shortcut to tidier flower beds and vegie patches

Mulch is one of the replace with fresh organic gardener’s most mulch once you have planted,” valuable tools says Chloe. In the rest of your and serves many garden, organic mulches purposes. It blocks weeds from should be reapplied every year resprouting, keeps roots cool to keep them at a depth of in the heat of summer and 3-4cm, while inorganic mulches, provides a clean, organised like pebbles, will only need aesthetic that makes it easier topping up every few years. to navigate around your plants.

“Mulch is a bit like a protective How much do I need? blanket,” says horticulturalist More mulch is not always Chloe Thomson of @beanthere better – if applied too thickly, dugthat, and host of Bunnings it can prevent rain and podcast Staying Grounded. irrigation reaching the plant “It helps reduce evaporation, roots. The amount needed suppresses weeds and, as it varies based on the product, breaks down, adds organic but for bark mulches, aim for matter and nutrients to the around 3-4cm. soil,” she explains. “Straw can be slightly thicker – up to 7cm, as it is light and When should you mulch? fluffy, and weeds can easily Mulch at any time but, for best push through thin layers,” says results, apply it at the start of Chloe. Grass clippings and the growing season, preferably leaf mould can gradually be when the ground is damp. “In built up to a 5cm layer – if you the vegie garden, work the old have excess, split it with the mulch into the soil and then compost bin. 

Natural materials such as pea straw, sugar cane, pine bark, seed-free grass clippings and leaf mould make great mulches, as they break down and help improve soil structure, according to TV gardening expert and Richgro ambassador Charlie Albone. “But keep it away from stems and trunks to avoid stem rot – instead, create a moat around newly established plants to help trap water and direct it to the root zone,” he adds. Leaves These need to be shredded first, or composted. If left whole, they can clump and form impenetrable mats that can suffocate the soil. An easy way to shred leaves is to mow over them. They will then break down over the season, providing nutrients to your garden in the process. The downside: if you live in a windy area, they can blow away. Wood waste/bark Mulches made from untreated wood waste or bark break down slowly and won’t blow away. However, woodchips are low in nitrogen, which can cause a temporary deficiency in soil, as the microorganisms that Stone/gravel This is an aesthetically pleasing option, but better used to create paths through a landscape, over pots or areas where a more designer look is desired. “It adds nothing to the soil, so you will need to address the lack of organic matter by adding extra compost to the soil,” says Charlie.

Spread mulch over your garden area in an even layer and remember to water it in

Mulch under strawberries to help keep them clean

break the chips down are big consumers of nitrogen. An easy fix: add a conditioner, such as blood and bone, to soil before applying wood-based mulch. Sugar cane mulch This breaks down easily over the year to give your garden the benefit of added nutrients. But high winds can cause it to blow away, so it’s not great for windy areas. Imported sugar cane mulch is not available in Western Australia, as it may contain the seeds of prohibited weeds. Grass clippings An excellent, free source of mulch. They’re also great for boosting and conserving soil moisture. Pine needles These are good for acid-loving plants and a great mulch for strawberries – of course, you’ll need access to pine trees to source a decent supply for your garden. Coir mulch A decorative mulch, this is light and quite easy to transport, and also

Tuscan Path 20mm-40mm pebble mix in Natural, $10.98/15kg, I/N: 0046111 typically contains fertiliser.

Coolaroo 0.9m x 5m pre-packed weed control mat, $5.49, I/N: 3040596 Landscape fabric/weedmat Weedmat is a porous material that suppresses weeds. While weeds can sometimes grow through the upper layers of cheaper fabrics, the more expensive products may last up to five years. It’s a little bit unattractive on its own, but can be covered with mulch so it’s less visible.

Ryobi 2400W electric mulching shredder, $329, I/N: 3380970 Ozito ‘Silent’ 2400W garden shredder, $299, I/N: 0055062.

If you’re a keen gardener who is often pruning and cleaning up the backyard, why not consider making your own mulch with all the clippings? Mulchers or shredders are fantastic tools to make the most of your garden waste – and it’s much easier than bundling it all into the green bin or putting it aside for council pickup. Plus, it all adds valuable nutrients back to your garden, completing the lovely circle of life! Simply cut, shred, collect and spread. Just make sure you add an organic pelletised fertiliser to your soil prior to application and this will help it break down too. ◆

1 Neutrog ‘Whoflungdung’ composted mulch, $21.95, I/N: 0057433. 2 Richgro pine bark mulch, $9.52/40L, I/N: 2980119. 3 Garden Essentials organic sugar cane mulch, $13.88/7sqm, I/N: 2961431 (not available in WA). 4 Hortico water saving mulch, $7.98/30L, I/N: 2960296. 5 Brunnings ‘Feed and Mulch’ mega coir block, $19.10/90L, I/N: 3010083. 6 Tuscan Path 30mm-50mm polished pebbles in Black, $14.98/15kg, I/N: 3460086. 7 Tuscan Path 10mm-25mm polished pebbles in Chestnut, $8.49/1.5kg, I/N: 0014850. 8 Whites ‘Tree Guard’ 500mm felt mulch ring, $6.60, I/N: 3321621. 9 Sherlock 100L poly tray garden wheelbarrow, $125, I/N: 0043703. 10 Saxon 14T garden rake, $14.50, I/N: 3361148. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

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