Garden Care Advice
Mulching is one of the highest-value jobs in any garden — and one of the most commonly mistimed.
In Melbourne, there are two ideal windows.
Mid-to-late spring (October–November)
The classic time. The soil has warmed, spring rain has soaked in, and a fresh layer of mulch locks that moisture down just before summer arrives to steal it. Mulching in late spring is essentially drought protection for your beds — gardens mulched well in November cope visibly better through January and February heat.
Autumn (April–May)
The underrated second window. An autumn mulch suppresses winter weed germination, insulates roots against the cold, and slowly feeds the soil as it breaks down through winter — so beds emerge into spring in far better condition.
Just as important as when is how
Water first, then mulch. Mulch is a one-way blanket done wrong — laid over dry soil, it can keep light rain from ever reaching the roots. Always mulch over moist soil.
Get the depth right. Around 50–75mm is the sweet spot. Thinner than that and weeds push through; much thicker and water struggles to penetrate.
Keep it off the stems. Mulch piled against trunks and stems holds moisture where plants least want it and invites collar rot. Leave a clear ring around every stem.
Choose a mulch that feeds. Coarse organic mulches breathe well, let water through, and improve your soil as they break down — which is the quiet, long-term payoff of doing this job every year.
Done properly, mulch reduces watering, smothers weeds, moderates soil temperature and steadily improves your soil. Done at the wrong time or the wrong depth, it can do the opposite — which is why it’s worth doing well.
Mulching is one of the jobs our clients most often hand to us, usually as part of a seasonal clean-up. If your beds are looking thin, request a free quote — supply, delivery and a tidy finish included.
Request a Free Quote“Nurture your garden, nurture your soul.”