How deep should I mulch? Mulch should be applied to a depth of 100mm. This will provide an effective weed suppressing layer and maximize moisture retention. Should customers wish to apply less than 100mm we recommend using Weedmat prior to mulching.
The generally recommended mulching depth is 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm). Un- fortunately, many landscapes are falling victim to a plague of overmulching. “Mulch volcanoes” are excessive piles of mulch materials applied around the base of trees.
A 1-inch to 2-inch layer of fine mulch should be sufficient, while a coarser material should be 3 to 4 inches deep. Too much of either type can suffocate your plants. In areas where you simply want to keep anything from growing, you can lay it on as thick as you like.
Best Mulch For Native Plants
Wood chip mulch, especially recycled bark, eucalyptus mulch and pine bark mulch, is the best mulch for natives, promoting microorganism activity and enhancing nutrients in the soil.
If you want mulch that is, say, 10cm (or 0.1metres) deep then you multiply the size of the garden bed by 0.1m. For your 3x3 bed, that means 3x3x0. 1 = 0.9metres, which is just under a cubic metre. Another way to picture a square metre is to remember it is about 10 good-sized wheelbarrows full.
How Much Does a Bag of Mulch Cover? Mulch is typically sold in bags of 50 L or 2 cubic feet. To cover a 200 sq. ft.
Spread your mulch
Ideally, the mulch should be deep enough to prevent weeds growing, but thin enough that water can still penetrate the soil. Your mulch should cover the area around your tree (roughly 1.5m). Use your rake to evenly spread the mulch. Ensure to leave a space directly around the base of the tree.
Use the right mulch
Cypress on the other hand, is naturally resistant to termites, which makes cypress mulch a more sensible choice when mulching your gardens closest to the house.
Karri And Peat. Made with Karri (and sometimes Jarrah) bark mixed with peat, Karri and Peat is the king of black mulches. It is the longest lasting black mulch and the extra peat can help improve soil quality.
For local indigenous plants
These require very little, if any, soil preparation. Simply get rid of any weeds, loosen the soil and perhaps adding a very small amount of native-friendly (low in phosphorus) organic fertiliser.
Keep organic (bark and wood products, compost, and leaves or grass clippings) and synthetic (plastic, stones, or landscape fabric) mulches 3 inches away from the base of the trunk to prevent damaging the bark by keeping the area too moist. Organic mulches should not exceed three inches in depth.
When you apply these types of mulches, don't put them down too thickly. A really thick mulch can actually encourage plant roots to grow up through, towards the surface, where the moisture is, and that defeats the purpose. So, against a shrub bed or a large tree, I'd only put mulch in about 15cm deep.
One cubic yard of soil covers 100 square feet at a 2 inch depth.
When using mulch in your landscape, there is no need for the use of artificial weed barrier such as plastic or landscape fabric. These materials do not work and are not weed barriers. They are only necessary under stone. That is to prevent the soil from mixing with the stone.
Adding mulch on top of the soil is beneficial because it is a source of nutrients. It also helps with maintenance; you will have fewer reasons to water your plants because it encourages moisture retention. It also ensures an adequate and steady supply of the required nutrients.
Apply most mulches, including wood chips and pea gravel, to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. More is not better! Mulch that is too deep can weaken trees and shrubs and prevent water and air from reaching the soil. Apply straw, dried leaves, and similar materials to a depth of 4 to 6 inches.
Hardwood Chip and Cypress tend to be longer lasting and will not need to be replaced for up to 3 years however you may wish to top up earlier for aesthetic reasons. ANL's Forest Fines and Forest Blend are excellent for sloped areas as they matt together stopping the mulch from moving down a slope.
Great mulch options include grass clippings, straw, hay, or old leaves all of which can be combined with cardboard or newspaper. Water your garden consistently. Your watering schedule will obviously be unique to your garden but you sould work hard to maintain moist soil conditions.
Eucalyptus and pine barks or chips (including sawdust) are the best picks for shrubs and trees. Just make sure they are totally dead before use. Putting fresh sawdust and wood barks around plants can result in nitrogen deficiency because fresh mulch needs nitrogen from the soil to decompose.
The Truth About Termites and Mulch in Australia
Most new home estates have hundreds of ground up logs and stumps buried and compacted under ground. This causes problems as termites are attracted to the soft, wet mulchy substances as a means of food.
While the material itself does not draw termites to the area, mulch spread over three inches deep creates an inviting habitat for the pests. Layers of organic matter trap heat and moisture next to the ground. Termites use this thick mulch as shelter from harsh weather.
Pine bark mulch is made from wood, a natural source of food for termites. But the mulch can retain moisture and warmth that attracts termites and carpenter ants. To keep these insects away from your home or other outdoor structures, keep the mulch at least 15cm from buildings.
The benefits of proper mulching include the following: Conserves soil moisture by increasing water infiltration and slowing evaporation. Improves soil structure, fertility, and aeration as it decomposes. Moderates soil temperature, protecting roots from extreme summer and winter temperatures.
However, as Australian soils are dry, these plants will require mulching. Hardwood or Pinebark Mulch from Richgro, will work best for citrus trees and help you reduce the household's water consumption. Note that mulch shouldn't touch the trunk of the tree.
Keep mulch about 12 to 18 inches from the trunk for any size of tree. Mulch should not be piled against the trunk (above) because roots may grow there (below) and girdle the trunk.