Little Veggie Patch February 2014 | Page 11

1 minute skills mulch mulching is one of those gardening silver bullets that ticks all of the boxes Just like Google, mulch is one of those rare noun/verbs that forever changes and redefines cultures and civilizations. From lucerne to pulverized sugar cane, pine needles to grass, pea straw to wood chips; mulching is one of those gardening silver bullets that ticks all of the boxes. It helps regulate soil temperature, keeps in moisture, suppresses weeds, and as mulch breaks down it provides valuable food to your patch. There are two key points to understanding mulch. 1. Don’t smother your seedlings. That means let seedlings grow to a respectable size (let’s say 10cm) before laying it on thick. 2. Lay it on thick. We like to use the scientific hand measurement system. Anywhere between the 2nd or 3rd knuckle should do the trick. If plants are a little small and you’re feeling dexteress, start with less mulch and then add bit more as they grow.