What You Need to Know about Mulch

15-August-2020

Mulch is a protective covering that, when placed around plants, offers several benefits. Mulch is made from organic material such as leaves, straw, peat, or wood, and applying mulch helps conserve moisture in the soil and prevents weed growth by keeping the earth out of the sun. It also keeps the soil's surface cool and [...]

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Organic lettuce vegetable farm field covered with mulch at sunset.

Mulch is a protective covering that, when placed around plants, offers several benefits. Mulch is made from organic material such as leaves, straw, peat, or wood, and applying mulch helps conserve moisture in the soil and prevents weed growth by keeping the earth out of the sun. It also keeps the soil's surface cool and reduces the occurrence of heaving (this is when roots are forced upward out of the ground). Mulch can improve the appearance of the landscape and increase property values. Find out what you need to know about mulch. Find your landscaping supplies at StrataGreen, too. 

Landscaping supplies from StrataGreen

When you apply mulch, you'll want to make sure to apply it in a thick enough layer. Just how wide depends on the type of mulch used. A depth of two to six centimetres is ideal for most mulch, although you can apply unprocessed straw mulch in a thicker layer. Using a nice thick layer of mulch will reduce moisture loss during the summer months and keep the soil significantly more relaxed. It will also protect the soil in the winter, delaying freezing temperatures from reaching the soil.

Organic mulches will naturally decompose over time. This process enriches and improves the soil. The result is better aeration and increased capacity for holding water. Applying mulch also stabilises the structure of the soil by reducing the effects of people walking on it and rain falling on it. Simply put, mulch decreases soil compaction and keeps it in much better shape.

When and How to Apply Mulch

The best time to apply mulch is in the springtime, after the winter rains have stopped and the soil has begun to dry. If you use mulch too early, you might delay the drying of the earth and hinder root growth, which requires sufficient aeration and reasonably stable, warm temperatures. The timing of your mulch application matters less with established plants than it does with new plants. Alternating cycles of frost and thawing in the winter can lead to heaving; to combat this, apply mulch at the first indication of cold weather. This way, you can slow the thawing cycle and reduce heaving, which can break roots. If you are applying mulch to established plants during autumn, water them thoroughly before applying mulch.

As mentioned, be sure to apply mulch to the proper depth to allow it to do its job of controlling weeds, conserving moisture, and moderating temperatures. Mulch that is too shallow or too deep can cause ineffective weed control or waterlogged soil problems. That's all you need to know about mulch.

Where to Find Landscaping Supplies in Western Australia

If you're looking for a landscaping supplier in Western Australia, let StrataGreen help. From our website and our Canning Vale location, we offer an extensive range of landscape supplies in Western Australia, including tools, equipment, and consumables for the horticulture and landscape industries. We pride ourselves on unmatched customer service and rapid dispatch times. We keep a large inventory so that we'll have what you need when you need it. Whether you need mulch for a small residential project or a more extensive commercial application, let StrataGreen be your go-to landscape supplier in Western Australia.

StrataGreen is your one-stop-shop

If you're planting trees or completing any other project that requires landscaping supplies, StrataGreen is here to assist you. We are a landscaping supplier in Western Australia, offering an extensive range of tools and equipment to help you complete any garden project. We've got everything you need in one convenient place, and we go out of our way to provide the very best customer service as well. Let StrataGreen be your landscape supplier – you'll be glad you did! One of our most popular products is the TerraCottem soil conditioner. You only have to apply it once during planting, mix it into the soil when planting. We further supply Rhinoweld welded gabions, popular among hobby gardeners and professionals.

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Want to find out more about StrataGreen? Please read our latest news about our partnership with Trillion Trees, or find out how to plant healthy Macadamia Nut trees.

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