Mulching plays a large role in our garden. When we first moved to our rural property, our garden looked wonderful. Maintained by a semi retired couple, there was plenty of time to weed and do the required jobs to keep it looking so fine. We soon came to the realisation that no matter how many weekends we spent in the garden, the weeds were going to take over no matter what. Over the past twelve months we have been experimenting with ways of reducing the maintenance required for each garden bed. With some success, we are slowly taking the garden back, although there is still a large part that has gone wild.
Our strategy, to mulch everything, no matter what the season. Not only has this reduced the amount of weeding, it has protected the soil life from the high temperatures experienced in the heat of summer. The life that exists under the mulch we place is amazing, and is just not possible without it. Of course there is the water saving possibilities, due to less evaporation.
We've used a variety of materials, including straw and pine bark purchased from the local nursery. This was an expensive option, and we realised we had plenty of free mulch out in our paddocks, the dried grass that the livestock no longer wanted to eat. Although we risked some seeds coming into the garden, we have tried this over winter and it appears to be a success.
We continue our experiments, and have now successfully removed and kept at bay creeping grasses that invades the garden. To further our sustainable approach to life, we are also attempting to grow a small lucerne crop, with plans of a larger crop if successful, as well as lucerne trees, which are both a great wind break and apparently fire retardant.
Mulch your garden now before the heat of summer arrives. The existing plants, as well as the life within the soil will love you for it.
http://www.helium.com/items/1948850-how-to-mulch-a-garden
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