What to do - Mulch
Episode: #3 16/09/2006
Presenter: Melissa King
Mulch may not be sexy but the results certainly are. It is incredibly appealing to the smart gardener as it means less water and less work!
These days there are so many mulches available that choosing the right one can actually be a statement in style.
There are two types of mulch. Organic ones, such as woodchips and straws which eventually break down, and in doing so give goodness back to soil.
Then there are the inorganic mulches and this is where the selection becomes broader. You can use anything from crushed bluestone to the rounder texture of river pebbles, even shredded recycled tyres depending on the style of your garden.
Pine Bark comes in every size from chunky pieces up to 20 mm right down to the super fines , which are achieved by sieving hammer milled pine bark. The bigger pieces and harder timbers tend to be more long lasting. You can imagine super fines would break down a lot quicker, which of course means more frequent topping up, but on the upside they are also quicker in nourishing the soil. The colour varies slightly too for a different look.
There are other woody mulches like Euca-mulch which has a lovely natural organic look. Also the rich coloured red gum mulches, even mulches made from recycled timbers. If you want to, break tradition and have a bit of fun you can use the brightly coloured mulches.
Before laying down the mulch always give garden beds a good soak early in the morning and feed with an all purpose plant food. It is also worth giving the garden a once over with a wetting agent to ensure that any water applied, soaks right through to the root zone.
There is no doubt that a freshly mulched garden always looks better. A layer of mulch of at least 75mm thick can reduce evaporation from the soil surface by as much as 70%. Mulch also discourages weed growth, prevents erosion and evens out soil temperature variations. Watch that the mulch is kept clear of tree trunks and plant stems to avoid possible fungal problems.
Quality local suppliers like Bark King, stock the full range of mulch to suit any style of garden and deliver it straight to your door. A little bit of blood sweat and tears now and you need never worry about water and weeds again! (At least until its time to top up the mulch again!)
Bark King
54 Fussel Road Montrose, VIC
T: (03) 9728 5200
F:(03) 9728 5300
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