How to Mulch a Garden: A Tea Tree Farmer's Guide
Good mulching comes down to three things: the right depth, the right time of year, and keeping it off the stems. We've been growing and spreading tea tree mulch at Teven for over 20 years, and this is the method we use at home.
Weed the bed, soak the soil, then spread mulch 75mm deep. Keep a hand's width clear around every stem, water it in, and check it after the first big rain. In northern NSW, August to October is the best time to lay it.
When is the best time to mulch in Australia?
August to October is the sweet spot up here. You smother the spring weeds before they come up and get cover down ahead of the summer heat. Autumn is the second window, for topping up beds the wet season has thinned out.
Tea tree harvest runs July to October, so spring orders are the freshest, most aromatic cut of the year.
How deep should mulch be, and how much do I need?
Spread it 75mm deep, which is enough to stop weeds without smothering your plants. One cubic metre covers 13.3 square metres at that depth, about 10 barrow loads. Measure length by width, punch it into our mulch calculator, or call 0402 294 776 and we'll work it out with a price for your area.
How do you lay mulch, step by step?
A typical bed is a morning's work.
- Weed the bed properly first. Mulch stops new weeds, it won't kill old ones.
- Soak the soil the day before. Mulch laid over dry soil keeps it dry.
- Rake to an even 75mm, keeping a hand's width clear of every stem and trunk.
- Water it in well so the fibres knit into a mat that stays put.
How do you look after mulch once it's down?
Tea tree mulch lasts 12 to 18 months. Once a year, rake the crust open and top up to 75mm, counting what's already there. Leave it on top of the soil rather than digging it in, and feed hungry plants separately.
Related questions
How many wheelbarrows are in 1 cubic metre of mulch?
About 10, and each load covers about 1.3 square metres at 75mm deep. A full delivery means plenty of barrow trips, so pick your tipping spot with care.
Is it cheaper to buy bagged or bulk mulch?
Bulk, by a long way. One delivered load replaces a trailer full of plastic bags and works out far cheaper per square metre. Call 0402 294 776 for a price.
What month is the best time to mulch in Australia?
August to October in subtropical NSW. You beat the spring weeds and get cover down before the summer heat. Spring loads are also the freshest, straight off harvest.
Do you need to remove old mulch before topping up?
No. Rake the old layer open to break up any crust, then top up to 75mm total. Tea tree mulch lasts 12 to 18 months, so most beds only need a partial refresh.
Is tea tree mulch safe for vegetable gardens?
Yes, it's safe around vegetables and edibles. We'd still use sugar cane in the veggie bed and tea tree everywhere else: paths, citrus, bananas, passionfruit and natives.
