Choosing the right mulch for your garden

Fine mulches for garden beds

Tea Tree Mulch and Forest Mulch Double Grind are fine textured. They knit together, hold moisture well and break down into the soil over time, which feeds the garden.

Longer-lasting options

Cypress Mulch and Hoop Bark are slower to break down, so they stay looking tidy for longer. Hoop Bark’s 25–50mm pieces also suit pots, planters and decorative beds.

Big areas and banks

For large areas where weed control and cost matter most, Forest Mulch and Tub Grind Mulch Coarse cover ground economically. Coarse, chunky mulch also sits better on slopes.

Pathways and play areas

Hardwood Chip gives a clean, even surface that is comfortable to walk on and looks neat along paths.

How thick to spread it

Spread mulch about 75mm deep. The volume calculator shows how much to order. Keep it a hand’s width back from plant stems and tree trunks so they don’t stay wet against the bark.

Prepare the bed before you mulch

Mulch works best on clean, damp soil. Pull or spray existing weeds first, because mulch spread over the top of established weeds will not stop them coming through. Water the bed well the day before so the soil underneath starts moist, then spread the mulch and water it again to help it settle.

If the soil itself is tired or compacted, dig in a layer of garden soil before you mulch. Mulch protects soil; it does not replace it.

Mulch in Brisbane’s climate

Hot summers and heavy storms are the two things that test mulch here. A good layer shades the soil, keeps roots cooler and slows evaporation, so you water less often through summer. In storm season, fine mulch can float or wash off sloping beds and into drains. On slopes and near paths, a coarser mulch stays put better.

Topping up

All organic mulch breaks down over time, which is part of how it feeds the soil. Check the depth once or twice a year, usually in spring before the heat arrives. If it has thinned to less than about 50mm, top it back up to 75mm rather than raking the old layer away.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Spreading it too deep. More than about 100mm can stop water and air reaching the soil.
• Piling it against plant stems and tree trunks, which keeps the bark wet and invites rot.
• Mulching over weeds instead of clearing them first.
• Using fine mulch on steep banks, where it washes away in heavy rain.