Episode: #9 28/10/06
Presenter: Sue McDougall

Western Australian gardeners have embraced the water saving message when it comes to applying mulch to the garden. A well mulched garden is one of the easiest ways to make a positive impact on water consumption immediately and to make a difference the mulch needs to be between 75 ? 100mm thick.

Mulches work by shading the soil, reducing evaporation and keeping the root system of the plants cool. This keeps the plants healthy and means they can cope on limited water better than without mulch. There are basically 2 types of mulch. Organic mulches are those mulches such as pea hay, lawn clipping or peat based mulches.

Inorganic mulches are materials that will not break down such as rocks, pea gravel and even crushed glass and when applied on soil they work exactly, the same as organic mulches.

Polished river stones make great ornamental and decorative mulch for garden beds and are a feature in themselves.

The Tuscan Path range of rocks is very extensive with many different colours on the range. The most popular is the polished mix and they are available at your local garden centre or hardware. When using as mulch on garden beds four 10kg bags cover 1 square metre so it is easy to judge how many bags you need. They are also available in different sizes depending on where they are going to be laid.

These pavers have been laid with a gap and when the snow white pebbles are put in place the contrast is stunning. It is a great way to add an extra design element to the garden without spending a fortune.

When it comes to pots in a stylish courtyard often the soil looks bare, when everything around is so gorgeous. Place a layer of polished rocks around the top. It will also stop the pots from drying out to quickly. The other bonus of using rocks on top of pots, is if you happen to have someone in your family who always waters the pots when the hose is turned on full blast and you are forever topping up the soil, rocks will solve this problem once and for all

One of the problems many gardeners face living next to the coast, is they regularly end up sharing their mulch with their neighbour because the wind has picked it up and it has landed down the street. Rocks will NEVER get blown away and they are great for stopping dogs, cats and chooks digging holes in that cool soft sand.

Next time when you are looking for rocks or pebbles to add just that little bit extra to finish off a garden, remember Tuscan Path and ask for it by name, you will be guaranteed of a quality product that will look stylish all year round and never have to be replaced.

Santosa Distributors
275 Treasure Rd
Welshpool WA 6106
Ph: (08) 93506433