Mulch
- artfulgardensnz
- Feb 12
- 2 min read
Mulch is an essential final step. It suppresses weeds, holds water and temperature in your soil and adds nutrients. It also looks great as a contrast to your plants.
I do not recommend using weed mat and think it is worth removing existing weed mat if you have any.
After planting, cover your soil with a thick (100mm+) mulch. The thicker you apply it, the better the weed suppression. Do not pile mulch around the stems or trunks of plants. If you live in a windy area, choose a heavier mulch or make sure you water it as soon as it goes on to stop it blowing away.
Types of mulch include stone, bark, compost, pea straw and tree mulch.
Tree mulch, available from arborists or landscaping suppliers provides a rustic look that suppresses weeds like nothing else. It breaks down eventually, providing nutrition to the soil and is very cost effective.
If you are planting new plants use aged tree mulch available from landscape supply companies such as Garden Makers or Garden Box.
Most retailers deliver mulch or have trailers for hire. You can also buy this mulch in bags, it costs more but can be more manageable.
For around established plants Arborists can organise to drop their days mulch to your house, ask for a weed free load with more wood chip than green matter. It will be a very big pile so get ready for some shoveling and wheelbarrowing.
Here is a calculator to work out how much mulch to get if you measure the area of each garden and add together to get an overall total.
I'd lay it 100mm thick. https://www.mulchman.co.nz/mulch-calculator
Dark and weed free compost is a nice mulch. This will contrast nicely with your plants as well as condition the soil and hold moisture.
Either purchase bags of compost from landscape suppliers, Mitre 10 or Bunnings or load up a trailer.
Supergro mix from Garden Makers is an excellent dark compost and weed free.
For more advice like this see What Plant Where- A Simple Garden Making Guide For Aotearoa New Zealand Gardens or book an on-site garden consultation with Artful Gardens today