Advantages of mulching

Mulches have various beneficial properties for plants, soil properties and gardens overall.

Among the advantages often contributed to mulches are the following:

·         Water conservation; mulching can greatly reduce soil evaporation and therefore reduce irrigation needs

·         Weed control; mulching can prevent weed growth and minimise competition with plants for water, light nutrients and space. Also, less time & labour will be required to follow up with weeding the garden.

·         Soil structure improvement; mulching reduces the impact of rain, run off and erosion. Organic and biodegradable mulches enrich soils with nutrients and plants grow healthier. The addition of mulches also reduces nutrient leaching and needs for plant fertilising.

·         Aesthetics; many mulch types such as wood chips, shredded bark and some types of crushed rock help present a neat, tidy, and finished appearance in landscape plantings and designs.