Mulching your garden promotes plant health and enhances the overall success of your space, including stopping weeds in their tracks (among other things).
But the choice of mulch and the scale of your garden or vegetable patch can have an impact on how much it all costs. So, if you don’t want to spend a fortune but still want the benefits, here’s what you need to know about choosing and using cheap mulch.
Types of cheap mulch
1. Sugarcane straw mulch
Liam Kemp is an Airtasker Horticulturist and owner of Kempscapes who often sources and uses different types of cheap mulch.
He says sugarcane straw is a mulching marvel for your vegetable patch.
“Sugar cane straw, which [can be around] $15-$20 per large bag, is usually more than enough for the average-sized veggie patch,” he says.
“It provides a layer that will help reduce weed growth while also keeping soil moisture in and provides nutrients when it breaks down in the soil.”
2. Cardboard and paper shredding
Cardboard and paper can make a great free or very cheap mulch for your garden. It also helps to keep weeds under control.
However, Liam says the downside is that cardboard and paper “don’t produce many nutrients when broken down into the soil.”
So, it may be worth considering some fertiliser as well as mulch. If you want to give it a try, here’s how to lay cardboard mulch.
3. Coffee grounds
While not technically a mulch, coffee grounds can work wonders for your soil and can usually be sourced for free.
“Coffee grounds are great for feeding the soil when mixed with other organic matter as they contain high levels of nitrogen and potassium, although are quite acidic, so it’s best not to use it as the only soil conditioner,” Liam says.
“They also don’t promote weed growth and will help keep soil moisture.”
4. Free wood chip mulch
Another option is to consider reaching out to tree removal companies for free wood chip mulch. While this can’t be used on your vegetable garden because it takes too long to break down, it is great for the rest of your garden.
“They usually dump it at your property for free,” says Liam.
5. Leaf mulching
Better Homes and Gardens gardening editor Jenny Dillon says you can make your own mulch from fallen leaves.
“Collect fallen leaves – autumn for exotics, spring for natives – place in large bin bags, soak leaves, tie tops, punch small holes in the bottom of the bags and leave in a shady spot for a year,” says Jenny.
“Soak leaves and turn them every fortnight. Then you’ll have leaf mould you can put on garden beds.”
Read more about leaf mulching.
Downsides of cheap mulch
The only thing to be careful of when sourcing cheap mulch for your garden is that it can sometimes contain unwanted weeds.
“Cheap mulch can have weeds and weed seeds through it and can cause more problems than none,” says Liam. “It can bring in unwanted pests and diseases which could affect desired vegetables.”
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