Mulching in Melbourne is generally done in long dry summer, as an essential element for water-saving programs. A layer of the material is made to significantly reduce evaporation of water and to maintain a consistent level of moisture in the soil, thus reducing the frequency of watering.
The material used for the purpose can be organic, such as wood chips, or inorganic such as plastic, rubber, rock etc. Both versions of the product are available in different colours, from white to black mulch.
Black much is the most popular product and is made from a variety of materials, both organic and synthetic. In a few cases, the colour is natural, while for others dye is applied to get the desired hue.
Farmers to homeowners use this material for their gardens or farms. The three main reasons for using this amazing soil protector include:
- Warming the soil: Black plastic is capable of absorbing sunlight, which is transferred into the ground. This would work best for areas, which faces severe cold climates. Warm soil supports the growing of crops, which is not possible in normal conditions.
- Protecting plants: Plastic is hard to penetrate for plants. Using a layer of plastic material would limit the growth of weed in the vegetable garden, and thus allowing all the nutrients to be absorbed by the plants. It also does not allow insects to grow as well.
- Stops ground contact: Farmers use this for low rising plants. The aim is to not allow the vegetables and fruits to touch the soil. Delicate fruits and vegetables like watermelons, peppers, tomatoes, etc could rot or mould. They act as a protective barrier in the vegetable garden.
If the owner of the garden is not sure, they could ask the dealers to suggest the best mulch. The professionals would understand the purpose of use and then suggest the best product in the given budget.
