The Complete Guide to Mulching

If you could do only one thing to improve your garden, mulching would be it. A generous layer of organic mulch suppresses weeds, conserves moisture, regulates soil temperature, improves soil structure as it decomposes, and creates a tidy, finished appearance. It's the closest thing to a magic bullet in gardening.

Apply 7 to 8 centimetres of organic mulch to garden beds after planting and watering. The best mulch materials include wood chips, bark nuggets, straw, pine needles, and composted leaves. Each has its strengths: wood chips are long-lasting and excellent for ornamental beds; straw is lightweight and easy to move, perfect for vegetable gardens; pine needles create an attractive acidifying mulch ideal for blueberries and azaleas.

Common mulching mistakes can undo all the benefits. Piling mulch against plant stems or tree trunks creates a 'mulch volcano' that traps moisture and invites rot and pest damage. Leave a 5 to 8 centimetre gap around stems and trunks. Applying mulch over dry soil without watering first can actually dry out the soil further. Always water thoroughly before mulching. Refresh mulch annually as organic materials break down. Over time, mulch decomposes into the soil, feeding earthworms and beneficial microbes that create the dark, crumbly soil every gardener dreams of.