Lighten The Load

A gardener’s work is never done, but there are many ways to make the most tedious tasks less so. Gardening expert Helen Young shares her top tips.

MAKE MULCH YOUR FRIEND

Mulch prevents most weed seeds sprouting in bare soil and makes everything look tidy and loved. It also holds moisture in the soil, meaning less watering, and maintains a more even soil temperature, meaning happier plants. Use a soft, feeding mulch such as sugar cane mulch or lucerne for beds with vegies, herbs, fruiting plants, flowers or roses. For larger garden beds, a woody mulch such as pine bark will last longer. To prevent persistent bulbous weeds (think onion weed and oxalis) from emerging, lay 6-8 sheets of newspaper or a biodegradable weed mat such as EcoCover over the soil and under the mulch.

GOOD TOOLS