Why mulch a garden?

Mulching offers many benefits beyond enhancing a garden’s aesthetics and suppressing weeds.

1. As mulch breaks down, it improves soil structure and nutrient content. Essential for growing healthy, vibrant and productive plants.
2. Mulch moderates soil temperatures retaining warmth in the soil during the cooler months and reducing plant shock from frost damage. In the warmer months, mulch conserves water by lessening evaporation. A good layer of mulch will reduce the dependency on irrigation systems and therefore cut down water bills.
3. Mulch promotes good soil structure which protects the soil from erosion and compaction – again essential for plant health.
4. And yes, a freshly mulched garden looks fantastic!

Which mulch is best?

The efficacy of mulch depends on the quality and size of the material used. Generally, finer mulch breaks down faster and improves the soil, while larger mulch is more effective at suppressing weeds and conserving moisture. The choice will depend on the current condition of your soil, the scale of the garden beds and consideration of the overall aesthetic of the garden.

Here are some mulch varieties preferred by Botanic Horticulture:

Organic Compost

• The gold standard.
• Dark-coloured, fine-grade mulch made from green waste that has been aged and sifted to a finer texture.

Organic Mulch

• Dark-coloured, medium-grade mulch. made from recycled wood and plant-based materials.

Medium Grade Eucalyptus Mulch

• Lighter in colour than organic varieties, made from Eucalyptus leaves.
• Suitable for ‘native’ and ‘coastal’ style gardens. 

Pine Bark Mulch

• Slightly redder in tone compared with other mulches, made from pine bark.
• Available in various sizes, from a quarter inch to two inches.
• Look best in shady garden beds against dark green plantings. 

Inorganic Mulches

• Toppings, gravel, and decorative stones.
• Aesthetically pleasing when incorporated into a garden design.
• Excellent at suppressing weeds, protecting soil, and conserving water but does not benefit soil and can be problematic for plants with specific nutrient requirements.

There are other less desirable mulch varieties, such as tree clippings, soft fall (used in playgrounds), sugarcane (good for vegetable gardens but messy), and dyed black or red mulch—ahh, no thank you.

As with most things, price is indicative of quality, and it’s better to use a premium product than risk waste contamination and high pH levels. Cheap mulch can contain glass, plastic and other waste products that don’t break down, and mulch with a pH level that is either too high or too low can have disastrous ramifications.

If your garden is ready for a fresh blanket of mulch, our horticulturists can recommend the best option and calculate the correct amount for appropriate coverage. Botanic can also deliver to your site, avoiding the additional mess of driveway dumping.