This mix of small chip and bark pieces is a great money saver. We have listened to your feedback and found a mulch which looks great and cheaper then the premium varieties. It is darker in colour with similarity in colour and texture to Pine Bark in a large area.

Bark Blend not only looks good; it also has a very functional purpose for your garden. It provides a thick protective layer that helps to hold moisture in the soil, controlling soil temperature which stops your plants from drying out as quickly and reduces the need for frequent watering. Bark Blend can protect plant roots during harsh winter and summer weather, inhibits weed germination and, depending of which type you use, it can also give your garden a boost of nutrients as it breaks down.

Everyone knows mulch/chip looks good, but it does so much more than look great.

Here are the top 3 reasons you need to mulch/chip your garden this season.

1. Save water

Mulch/Chip is the ultimate protector for the moisture in your soil. When bare garden beds bake in the sun, any moisture in the soil is rapidly sucked out. Under a layer of mulch, your soil remains dark and cool, retaining moisture for the roots of your plants and preventing the roots from overheating.

2. Protect your soil

As water evaporates, soil dries and compacts, repelling the earthworms and other soil-loving organisms whose movements aerate the soil. When they disappear, plants struggle to expand their root structure. Soil that remains cool and moist under a protective layer of mulch is more appealing to these tiny animals. The result is healthy soil that encourages root growth.

Erosion is another enemy of exposed and dried-out soil. Mulch/Chip forms a stable surface that stops wind from whisking off your precious topsoil into the garden next door. And when rain eventually comes, mulch will prevent rainstorms from washing your soil into your drains.

3. Control weeds and pests

One of Hardwood Chips most prized properties is weed control. If you are hauling water to your garden, the last thing you want is for it to be swallowed up by thirsty weeds. A thick coating of chips prevents sunlight from reaching weed seeds, stopping them from sprouting. Many garden pests also dislike chip & mulch. Some organic mulches have scents that repel pests and a rough textured mulch provides an inhospitable surface for crawling insects like slugs and snails.

Tips to make the most out of watering your mulch

• Weed and water the soil before you lay down your mulch/chip. This means that your mulch/chip will immediately be protecting moist soil. When using organic mulch & chips water the mulch when in place.
• For maximum impact on weeds and benefit to your soil, spread your mulch to a depth of about 100mm
• When you are watering mulch, water thoroughly. The water will soak through your mulch into the soil. Do a thorough soaking every few days, rather than a light spray every day. It may take longer, but the moisture will last longer in your soil. Less frequent but more generous watering also encourages deeper root growth.

Considering a mulch/chip garden.

The latest trend, and the most effective way to reduce your outdoor water use, is to xeriscape. Essentially this is a low or no water garden and incorporates mulch of all types, from bark to pebbles, to create a visually appealing garden with minimal upkeep and water use. Xeriscapes use only a few plants and can also include rocks, tree limbs, statues, pots and timber.

What type of mulch/chip?

Organic mulches, which include bark, wood chips and leaves, break down over time and so have a shorter life than inorganic mulches like stones and rocks. However, the environmental benefits of organic mulch to your garden are far greater. As these mulches decompose they add a rich blend of minerals and organic matter to your soil, resulting in a more nutritious growing medium for your plants. Organic mulches are attractive to earthworms and other soil organisms, encouraging the invisible activity that keeps your soil and plants healthy.

So, what is mulch? The mulch & woodchip is organic material made from timber off-cuts from sawmills and by-products of tree removal and trimming, which is spread or laid over the surface of the soil. We also have in stock lucerne, sawdust and sugar cane mulches.

Benefits including

• Holds in moisture and reduces evaporation of water from the soil by up to 50%.
• Regulates soil temperature to insulate and protect plant roots in extreme weather conditions.
• Minimises soil erosion from soil and rain.
• Breaks down, providing soil organic matter.
• Inhibits weeds.
• Adds to the appeal of the garden by providing a uniform look at the base of plants.

Selecting mulch or chip is usually a matter of personal preference and budget. As a general rule -when choosing your mulch remember that the finer the mulch the quicker it will break down into the soil. If you are looking for soil improvement you may want to try leaf mulch, sugar cane or eucalyptus mulch whereas for durability try a wood chip or pine bark.  For colour contrast you may like to apply red wood chip. Red wood chip is dyed with environmentally non toxic dyes. This looks especially good in formal areas with dark green foliage such as with box hedging. Alternatively you may find that if you have a sand stock brick house you may like eucalyptus mulch, harmonizing with the rusty golden new growth of Lillipillis.

Our Mates stock a wide range of mulches and these are available bulk by the cubic metre or in handy 25L bags.