There are many types of mulch available to the gardener, but different types of mulch are suitable for different jobs.
Mulch can be used to retain water, prevent weed growth, build organic matter, and provide drainage. This helps change the microclimate around our plants and creates a habitat for beetles and garden animals.
Use too much and the water may not soak into the soil; Use too little and the soil will dry out.
So you need to select the best possible material for the job you want to cover and apply just enough to be effective.
Gardening Australia presenter Clarence Sloky takes us through some of the most popular organic mulches and shows us where they work best.
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light mulch
Mulch made from pea straw, sugar cane, or alfalfa is ideal for vegetable gardens.
They return nutrients to the soil as they dissolve and help retain moisture.
Clarence says this type of mulch shouldn't be used with low-yielding plants like strawberries.
"This can be a place where snails and slugs take up residence and unfortunately eat the strawberries," he says.
Co-host Sophie Thomson previously described the use of chopped straw, especially for young plants, as the regular pieces are too large and the seeds are submerged.
Chopped straw mulch can be applied quite thick because it is light and fluffy and still allows water to reach the plants.
"Always water well before adding mulch to keep the soil moist enough," says Sophie.
Eucalyptus or Tea Tree Mulch
'Yuki-mulch' is a favorite of native plants.
Simulates the natural cover of the ground, that is, the leaves fallen from the trees to the plants.
leaf mulch
Sheet mulch is made up of leaves, twigs, and a few branches, so it mimics what you'd find on the forest floor.
"It's perfect to bring into your garden and restore some habitat for some of the lizards and small invertebrates that want to live there," says Clarence.
"It's a great all-rounder and really good for your garden."
Tree Trimming
This is a much heavier mulch.
It helps to retain water and suppress weeds and can be placed well around plants.
You can use it to mark different areas of the garden.
Make your own tree mulch when you prune them.
You can rent chippers at some hardware or large garden stores.
thick pine mulch
This thick mulch is aesthetically pleasing.
It breaks down slowly and is ideal for weed control and habitat creation, according to Clarence.
"Not great for the bed, but perfect for the road."
hardwood
This heavy mulch is made by cutting down hardwoods.
Hardwood mulch takes years to break down.
It retains a lot of water in the soil.
"Nutrients do eventually leach out, but they're for the road or anything you want to store for a long time," says Clarence.
For more tips on gardening in Australia, visit the website or check out previous issues on ABC iView.
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