The Benefits of Mulching

Applying a mulch to your beds and borders and in the fruit and vegetable garden has several important benefits. Weeds are supresssed, water is retained and mulching also helps to maintain heat levels.

It is very important to apply a mulch over thoroughly wet soil. The best time to do this is late winter and early spring when the rain has completely soaked the soil. If you need to apply a mulch at any other time then soak the area first, preferably with rainwater.

Clear away any remaining garden debris, root out any perennial garden weeds and apply one of the Westland mulches over the garden soil. Each one helps to suppress garden weeds, improve and retain soil moisture and will also insulate plant roots against extreme cold or heat. Choose Bed & Border Chipped Bark, Landscape Bark or Golden Pine Bark for large areas or around big established plants, or for smaller borders, containers and ornamental gardens opt for Decorative Mini Bark.  Our new Plant Protection Bark suppresses weed growth, helps to retain moisture and also contains a natural slug barrier protecting plants from slug and snail damage.

organic Farmyard Manure can also be used as a mulch. Spread over ornamental or vegetable beds the natural action of worms and other insects will gradually help incorporate it into the soil improving structure and increasing nutrient levels

Home compost can also be used as a garden mulch to help replenish what has been depleted from the soil by plant growth.