Gardener hints: choosing mulch for your garden

Applying mulch is a cheap, easy and effective way to reduce surface evaporation caused by wind and hot sun. Here are a few tips to help you better understand the different types of mulch you can add to your garden.

In addition to controlling surface evaporation, a layer of mulch works well as a natural weed mat, reducing the need for chemicals and time-consuming weeding. Mulch also provides food and shelter for insects and increases the activity of worms and micro-organisms in the soil, which is good for plants.

When choosing mulch for your garden, you should start by considering the two main categories:

1. Organic mulches, which break down, releasing nutrients into the soil.
2. Inorganic mulches, such as pebbles, which stabilize the soil temperature in the root zone and help to prevent erosion.

Below are some of the main types of organic mulch and tips on how to use them.

1. Garden prunings. Shred before using. Avoid diseased material or plants that have recently been sprayed with herbicides.
2. Grass clippings. Mix well with other materials or compost before use, as they can pack down into a water-shedding layer.
3. Leaf litter. Don't use this in areas prone to forest fires as it burns easily.
4. Straw. Do not use hay as the seeds will grow in your garden.
5. Manure. Age the manure or compost it first before using in your garden.
6. Mushroom compost. This may be alkaline, so check its pH before applying.
7. Native plants. These break down very slowly, which is an advantage.
8. Pea straw. Sold in bales or bags, this is ideal for fast-growing plants such as annuals and perennials.
9. Sugarcane. Good to use around roses and vegetables.
10. Weeds. Fresh, seed-free green weeds break down well in garden beds.
11. Pine needles. Suitable around acid-loving plants like azaleas. Slow to decompose.
12. Rice hulls. Good on its own or can be mixed with other mulches. Rice hulls are slow to decompose, have good resistance to compaction and are not a fire hazard.
13. Shredded pine bark. Attractive in a native plant garden, but can be flammable. Slow to decompose.
14. Wood chips. Slow to decompose.
15. Groundcover plants. These suppress weeds and keep the roots of other plants cool.

Below are some of the main types of inorganic mulch and tips on how to use them.

1. Gravel. Easy to spread and many forms are inexpensive.
2. Pebbles. Good for pot plants and around succulents and cacti.
3. Recycled glass. Attractive as a feature in courtyards or in pots.
4. Rocks. Decorative; excellent for keeping soils cool.

Armed with knowledge about the mulch options available, you can now make a better-informed decision based on your objectives, budget and types of plants in your garden.