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Fix it Choosing a mulch
The magic of mulch Good mulch is a keen gardener’s secret weapon, as well as a shortcut to making garden beds look tidy
Words Jane Wrigglesworth Photography (top) Gap Photos/Perry Mastrovito, (bottom) iStock,
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ulch is one of the gardener’s most valuable tools and serves many purposes. It blocks weeds from resprouting, keeps roots cool in the heat of summer and provides a clean, organised aesthetic that makes it easier to navigate around your plants. “It’s like a protective blanket,” says Scott Bromwich from Daltons. “It regulates soil temperatures and moisture, represses weed growth and, as it breaks down, adds valuable nutrients back into the soil.”
Inorganic mulches, such as pebbles, play an aesthetic role in the garden
When should you mulch? Mulch at any time, but for best results, apply it at the start of the growing season, preferably when the ground is damp. “Mulch is a gardener’s secret, so the sooner you apply it the better – you can’t really go
wrong,” says Scott. Organic mulches need to be reapplied every year, while inorganic mulches will last several years. How much do I need? More mulch is not always better – if applied too thickly, it can suffocate plants. The amount needed varies based on the product, but for bark mulches, aim for around 5-8cm. “Straw needs quite a thick layer – up to 15cm, as it is light and weeds can easily push through thin layers,” explains gardener and author Sarah O’Neil (sarahthegardener.co. nz). “But grass clippings can form a dense, slimy layer if too thick, so gradually build up to a 5cm layer. Leaf mould from autumn leaves broken down over a year only needs to be about 5cm thick to do as good a job as a mulch.” bunningsnz
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