Mulch - saves water, keeps your garden green
Mulch is material added in a layer over your garden soil. It reduces water loss by as much as 70% by protecting soil from the drying effects of the sun and wind. It's also a smart use of organic household waste.
Mulching benefits
A thick (15-20cm) layer of mulch will:
- reduce water loss from the soil while still allowing water to penetrate
- reduce soil erosion
- suppress weed growth
- moderate soil temperature
- improve soil structure and the health of plants over time
- reduce the need for chemical sprays
- create a natural appearance
- provide a soft surface for playgrounds and paths
- reduce the amount of plant material going to landfill.
Mulch material
Mulches can be inorganic (for example sand, stones and gravel), or organic (for example wood chips, sawdust and plant material). Mulching with composted prunings, food scraps, fallen leaves and grass clippings from your own garden is a great way of returning nutrients to your soil. You can also buy pine or eucalypt chips and straw or hay.
Mulch money-back
A rebate is available from the Victorian government when you spend $100 on water-saving products, including mulch. See link below to Our Water Our Future.
Mulching tips
- Compost organic mulch before you use it to increase its nutrient value. The process also destroys weed seeds and plant pathogens.
- Leave the grass clippings on the lawn for mulch when you mow. Set the mower to a tall setting so that only the top third of grass is cut and mow only when it's dry so clippings can filter to the soil without clumping.
- Keep weeds, pet faeces or material that has been treated with weed killer or pesticides out of mulch.
- Mature mulch for a few weeks before applying around plants - fresh material can rob the soil of nitrogen. Use one-part materials high in nitrogen (compost, worm castings) to ten-parts mulch.
- Don't apply mulch close to the stems and trunks of plants.
- Ensure the mulch you buy has been produced in line with Australian Standards - look for the 'five ticks' logo.
