Spring has finally sprung! Yes, we are just as excited as the plants are! The big question for right now is – Have you started mulching your garden? Perhaps you have started and finished already – well done, you have been working hard and your plants will thank you.
If you haven’t started, that’s ok, now is the time to start applying mulch to all of your garden beds. It is easier to mulch when the plants are dormant or cut back, so now is a perfect time – and who really wants to be mulching when it gets hot?
Mulch not only makes your garden look good, but it also plays an important role in protecting your garden beds and plants. But before you start – which mulch is best for your garden?
There are a few different mulch types available and they can be selected for specific garden areas. Is Eucalyptus mulch (or Euca mulch) better than Bush mulch? Should I use a different mulch for native gardens than for my citrus trees? Does the particle size of the mulch matter (in general the larger the chunks, the slower it will decompose)? These are all good questions and chatting to your local nursery or garden supply centre will help.
But really, any mulch is better than no mulch at all. Think of it like a buffer that keeps your soil warm during winter and cool during summer. Mulch retains water helping to keep the roots of your plants moist, which means less watering for you in summer. It stops your soil from dehydration and crusting, which causes the soil to become lifeless, which will result in poor plant development with little or no microbial activity.
In the Edible Forest, we used Euca mulch, which we found suitable for our needs on a large scale. It is good for weed control and moisture retention, especially for the undulating garden beds and native plant areas within the Edible Forest. A good thick layer is what is needed, we generally apply it 5cm thick to ensure good weed suppression.
Mulch is a gardener’s best friend, especially if you hate weeding! Start mulching today.
