The Real Dirt on Mulch: How to Choose the Best Type for Your Garden

You know how hard it is to keep your garden alive in the middle of an Australian summer if you've ever seen it wilt. We typically worry too much about watering and fertilising, but we forget about mulch. Not only does mulch make the garden beds look "finished," but it is also the workhorse of every successful landscape.

It doesn't matter if you're working on a small piece of land in Sydney or a huge landscaping project; what you put on top of the soil is just as important as what you put on top of it. Here is a list of reasons why mulch is so important and how to choose the right kind for your yard.

Why bother with mulch?

A new layer of mulch makes things look neat, but its main work is underneath the surface. Think of mulch as a covering that protects. That blanket is very important in our climate because the weather can change from dry heat to storm in a second.

When you use it correctly, mulch keeps moisture in the ground. It keeps the sun from drying out all your hard work with the hose, so you don't have to water as much. It also keeps plant roots cold when the ambient temperature rises, acting as an insulator.

And let's be honest: no one wants to weed. Mulch keeps weed seeds from sprouting by keeping sunlight from reaching the bare ground. Also, organic things break down over time and nourish your soil, which helps all the healthy microbes grow.

What is on the Mulch Menu in Australia?

There is no "one size fits all" solution. What you choose depends on what you're growing and how much work you want to undertake. Usually, there are two groups: the organic things that break down and the inorganic things that stay in place.

Organic Mulch (The Soil Feeders)

These are things that come from nature, like bark, straw, or leaves. They look fantastic and help your garden grow as they break down.

• A classic choice for Australians is pine bark. It smells like a forest, looks clean and doesn't compact for a long time. It's a good all-around tool for trees and bushes.
  

• Eucalyptus mulch is the way to go if you want that native bush look. It feels nice and doesn't break down quickly.
  

• Sugar Cane: The hero of the vegetable patch. It's light, cheap, and breaks down quickly, which is good for hungry vegetable plants.
  

• Tea Tree: This material is great at holding water. Also, termites and fungi don't like it, which is a good plus.
  

• Leaf mulch is usually formed from old yard trash that has been repurposed. It works great for flower beds because it quickly improves the structure of the soil.
  

Inorganic Mulch (The Long-Haulers)

These don't fall apart. You use them to make things appear nice or in places where you don't want to have to add more plants every year.

• Rubber mulch is often made from used tyres. Weeds dislike it and it doesn't wash away. It makes a terrific playground but it won't help your soil quality at all.
  

• Gravel and pebbles are very common in modern gardens that are designed. They look good and drain well. Just be careful in the full sun because stones can get hot and sometimes cook the roots of sensitive plants.
  

• You know the black or red chips that are dyed. They look different from each other in a certain way. Just make sure the colour is safe for the environment so you don't put strange chemicals into your flowerbed.
  

So, which one do you need?

It totally depends on what you want to do. Are you dealing with dryness? Do you hate weeds? Or just styling?

The Thirsty Garden:

If your area is dry and sunny, choose a plant that is thick, like Tea Tree or Eucalyptus. They soak up water like a sponge.

The Veggie Patch:

You want sugar cane or leaf mulch for the veggie patch. It feeds your tomatoes and lettuce as it rots.

The "Look at Me" Garden:

If looks are the most important thing, Decorative Pebbles or Dyed Chips might be the best way to match the house.

For a Native Setup:

Use either bark or eucalyptus. It looks like the forest floor, which is what native plants want.

For Heavy Foot Traffic:

If kids or dogs run over it a lot, rubber or gravel will survive longer than bark.

How to Apply It Without Killing Your Plants

It seems easy to just pour and distribute, but there is a right way to do it.

First, pull out the weeds. Then, spread your mulch. You are aiming for a layer roughly 5 to 10 centimetres thick. Any thinner and the weeds will push through; any thicker and water can't get down to the soil.

The Golden Rule is to never put mulch against the stems of plants or the trunks of trees. It’s called "volcano mulching," and it causes the trunk to decay. Leave a small circle of bare earth around the plant's base so it may get air.

Why You Should Spend the Money

One of the few things you can do in the garden that will save you money in the long run is mulch. Organic mulches are generally manufactured from things that would otherwise go to trash. They hold water, so you don't have to pay as much for water. You also save money on weed killers and fertilisers. It’s an environmental win-win.

Where to Find the Best Things in Sydney

You can get bags at the hardware shop, but for good quality and a lot of them, you usually want a landscaping provider. If you live in or near Sydney, Ace Landscapes & Turf Supplies is the best place to go.

They have anything from bush blend and black woodchip to organic things like tea tree and sugar cane. They know what they're doing, whether you need a truckload for a business operation or simply enough to repair up your lawn. Their team is also fairly adept at giving suggestions if you’re staring at your soil and have no idea what it requires.

Rapid Fire: Common Mulch Questions

Q: What is the finest all-around plant for Australian yards?
A: You can't go wrong with either Tea Tree or Eucalyptus. They smell excellent, endure our heat well, and keep the soil happy.

Q: How thick should I put it down?
A: Aim for 5–10 cm. It stops weeds from growing but lets rain through.

Q: How often do I need to do it again?
A: For organic things like bark and straw, every 6 to 12 months is usually enough time for them to break down. Stone or rubber lasts for a long time.

Q: Is it okay to use dyed mulch?
A: Yes, as long as you buy from a reliable source that uses water-based, non-toxic dyes.

Q: Does mulch bring in bugs?
A: Yes, if it stays moist all the time and is stacked right up against the house or plant stems. You should be alright if you keep it a few centimetres back.

Q: Do you have any suggestions for a veggie garden?
 A: Mulch made from sugar cane. Always. It's light, easy to sprinkle on sensitive seedlings, and it makes the soil better quickly.

The Bottom Line

Mulch is what makes the difference between a garden that lives and one that grows. It protects your plants and makes your task easier. If you need help picking the proper mix for your yard, call Ace Landscapes & Turf Supplies. If you do the appropriate things with the soil, the rest of the garden will take care of itself.