TIP OF THE MONTH: MULCHING

Many people think of mulching merely as a fast fix for unsightly weeds in the garden, but the practice fulfils a multitude of other important roles. Mulching suppresses weed growth, it helps retain moisture in the soil, regulates the temperature of the soil and provides nutrition to plants. Here's what you need to know about mulch. MIGHTY MULCH By definition, mulch could be rocks or bark, but for the vegetable patch we prefer to use pea straw, lucerne hay or sugarcane mulch, which all provide quicker and more meaningful nutritional benefit to plants as they break down. They are also responsible for drawing up worms from beneath the soil, bringing you powerful garden allies. THE LAY-DOWN When mulching use a product that is easy to handle. Big, roughly chopped bales of straw are suited for farm-scale spaces, rather than pots and small patches; for these opt for a pulverised, finer grade. A step further is heat-treated mulching pellets that expand when hydrated. This also doubles as a low-grade party trick for visitors.