We all have a million and one jobs to do in the garden, and chances are, mulching isn’t at the top of that list. From novice green thumbs to gardening gurus, people aren’t asking the important question, “Do I need mulch in my garden?”. In most cases, the answer is absolutely! Mulch is one of those simple yet powerful additions that can completely transform your garden. At Lawn Squad, we have been helping Tassie homeowners create envy-worthy gardens for years. Check out our mulch tips to make your Tassie garden stand out!
What Is a Good Mulch for Your Garden?
So you’ve decided to mulch, but what are you going to use? Choosing the right mulch depends on three factors:
- Your garden’s needs
- The look you’re going for
- Your budget
At Lawn Squad, we recommend double-cut gum bark as the best option for Tassie gardens. What makes it our top choice? This mulch has a unique stringy and tangled texture that helps it stay neat and tidy in garden beds, even when Tassie’s weather gets a bit wild! Double-cut gum bark’s finer texture also means you get a cleaner, more refined look without the chunky pieces you sometimes see with regular mulch.
For larger areas or tighter budgets, you can opt for standard gum bark or pine bark. Keep in mind that gum bark is more than twice the price of pine bark. So, if you’re working within a strict budget, you might consider pine bark for its affordability.
However, be aware that the standard gum bark has larger pieces that don’t create as fine a finish. Pine bark is also lighter on the wallet but tends to scatter more easily. It can be scratched out by wildlife and often ends up scattered in places you don’t want it, like pathways and driveways. You’ll be spending plenty of quality time with a broom to create that neat garden look.
Is Mulch Good for a Vegetable Garden?
Absolutely! Mulch isn’t only ideal for ornamental gardens; it can make a big difference in your veggie patch, too! If you’re wondering what type of mulch is best for vegetables, we recommend pea straw or sugar cane mulch. These types are lightweight, break down quickly, and are packed with nutrients that your vegetables will thrive on. Adding mulch has a number of benefits beyond just feeling satisfying and making you look like a veggie patch pro:
- Improved Soil Health: Pea straw or sugar cane mulch decomposes and returns nutrients to the soil, which benefits your veggies.
- Moisture Retention: A good layer of mulch helps to conserve water by preventing it from evaporating, hence the need to water less often.
- Weed Suppression: Mulch prevents sunlight from getting to pesky weed seeds, so they don’t germinate and grow along with your vegetables. You’re growing food, not a weed garden!
Pro Tip: When putting mulch on your veggie garden, make sure it’s light and fluffy. This allows water to filter through easily and prevents excessive soil compaction, which can harm your plant’s roots.
How Deep Should Garden Mulch Be?
A general rule of thumb is that deeper is better when it comes to mulch. A proper mulch layer should be 4 to 6 inches deep. The mulch layer might look too thick, but there’s a very good reason for that! The main goal is to prevent sunlight from reaching the surface of the soil, which stops weed seeds from germinating. A decent layer of mulch helps the soil retain moisture during summer and warm up during the cold winter season. This creates a stable and weed-free environment for your plants to grow.
Pro Tip: We know how immensely satisfying spreading mulch is, but be careful not to overdo it! Laying your mulch too thick can lead to problems like waterlogging, which can cause root rot or fungal issues.
How Often Should You Mulch Your Garden?
We recommend re-applying mulch in early spring, which allows your garden to reap the benefits of fresh mulch right as the growing season kicks off. Over time, the organic mulch materials will break down and get absorbed into the soil. While this adds nutritional organic matter to the soil, the mulch layer becomes thin and loses some of its weed-suppressing and moisture-retaining capabilities. Adding a fresh layer keeps these benefits intact and maintains the mulch’s neat visual appeal.
If your garden beds are exposed to heavy rain, frequent animal activity, or foot traffic, you may find that your mulch needs replenishing more often. Keep an eye on your mulch layer, and whenever you start to see bare patches or notice that it’s thinning out, top it up.
How to Apply Mulch in Your Garden
Follow these simple steps for applying mulch and creating a professional-looking, healthy garden:
- Begin by removing any existing weeds or old mulch. This will prepare the surface to accept your new mulch and prevent the weeds from coming back.
- You can apply mulch using your hands in small garden beds. For large areas, place the mulch piles using a wheelbarrow and then use a metal rake to spread the mulch.
- Leave a small gap around the base of each plant. This ensures air can circulate and prevents moisture build-up, reducing the risk of root rot or disease.
- Water your new mulch lightly so that it settles and compacts enough to stay in place. This will prevent it from blowing away and causing chaos in your garden paths and driveway.
Final Thoughts: Should You Mulch Your Garden?
So, do you need mulch in your garden? Definitely! Adding mulch is one of the simplest yet most effective methods of maintaining your garden.
Unsure where to start? Get in touch with the Lawn Squad team! We’re Hobart’s mulch experts, here to help you pick the right mulch and apply it with care. We’ll transform your garden from a practical outdoor space into a stunning visual masterpiece.
