Some tips for making mulch

Collar your Weed Killer mulch

mulch free Avoid making mulch
with organic materials
When using
woody
mulch that have been
exposed to weed killer
mulch Avoid using or pesticides as the
around weeds, mulch may harm your
trees and
plants, leave
seeding
plants and
plants or soil.
Mature mulch
some space (a certain leaves in your mulch Mulching with fresh woody
‘collar’) between the bark or mix. (Eucalyptus and Camphor material such as wood chips
stem and the mulch. This will Laurel leaves contain substances and bark can rob the soil
prevent creating conditions that inhibit plant growth for 3-4 of nitrogen. Let mulches
that may encourage disease. weeks when fresh. These can be mature for a few weeks
composted.) before applying to plants.
Try mixing one part of
nitrogen-rich material like
compost, worm castings or
animal manures (eg cows or
Go grasscycling! chickens) to ten parts mulch.

The cheapest and easiest way

to recycle your lawn clippings is
to leave them on the lawn after
mowing. Here are a few tips for
successful grasscycling:
Mow your lawn when it’s dry to
prevent clumping.
Make sure the lawnmower blades
are sharp.
Set the mower height
to 5–6 cm.
Try to remove only the top third of
the grass blades each time you mow.
Hire or borrow a mulch
mower. A mulch mower does
a better job because the
grass is cut finer. A regular
mower can also work well,
just remove the catcher
while mowing.
For more information visit
www.environment.nsw.gov.au
www.livingthing.net.au
Contact
DECC Environment Line
131 555
Published by
Department of Environment and
Climate Change NSW
59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney
Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard)
Fax: (02) 9995 5999
TTY: (02) 9211 4723
Email: info@environment.nsw.gov.au

DECC 2009/284 ISBN 978 1 74232 227 8 April 2009

The marvel
of mulch
Create your own Eden
What is mulch? Many benefits of mulch
Mulch is organic material that
covers the soil to stop weed
Helps keep the weeds down. You can use mulch
growth and promote healthy Reduces soil erosion and soil around plants, paths
gardens. compaction around plants. and children’s
play areas.
It retains nutrients and Keeps roots cool in summer and
moisture in the soil warm in winter and helps retain
and increases moisture.
biological
activity in Reduces the need for
the soil chemical sprays and fertilisers.
– especially
worms
Less watering of your garden.
and good It provides nutrients.
microbes.

4 easy ways to make mulch

1 Using clippings 3 Using compost
Lawn clippings are a natural garden wonder, so make the most Composting your food scraps and
of your clippings by: garden vegetation can create a free
source of nutrients for seedlings,
n Leaving them on the lawn
plants, shrubs and trees. The
when you mow, feeding
nutrients in compost are readily
the lawn and making it
available to your plants and soil. Call 131 555 to get your
healthier.
Easy Composting guide or visit www.livingthing.net.au
n Mulching around annual
flower and vegetable plants.
Note: leave space between the bark or stem and mulch.
4 Using bought mulches
2 Using garden prunings Many different types of mulches can be bought
either in bags or in bulk. Straw, hay,
It’s easy to turn garden prunings into mulch, and here’s how: wood and bark chips can be
n Arrange twigs, thin easily purchased.
branches and leafy Wood chip mulches are often
material in a long row and used as an attractive feature for
use the lawn mower to garden paths and to soften
shred them. falls under children’s play
n For larger branches, borrow or hire a small shredder. equipment.

Mulch can be made from common Shredded garden prunings look great Wood chips are often
organic items from your garden and around larger plants and shrubs. used as mulch in
kitchen. Straw can be used as mulch around landscaping.
Leaves are a decorative vegetable plants and seedlings. Try ground cover
free mulch which plants as a living
Newspaper that can’t go in the recycling
provide fibrous organic mulch. Herbs such
bin can be used as
material to the soil. as Corsican Mint (Mentha
mulch.
requenii), Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Grass clippings contain
Compost is or Kidney Weed (Dichondra repens) make
nitrogen and potash and rot down
an all-round great ground covers.
quickly. Great for seedlings!
wonder for the
Seaweed is seed free, doesn’t transfer garden. It decays quickly as a mulch and
plant diseases, looks good and is high in provides nutrients and trace elements to Hint Try to increase the variety of
minerals and potash. plants and soil. mulches you use on your gardens.

Turn over for some great mulch-making tips >>