If you’re looking for a simple way to boost your garden’s health while cutting down on maintenance, mulching might just be the best place to start. Whether you’re growing vegetables, nurturing native plants, or building a backyard food forest, the right mulch makes all the difference.
At Tierra Projects, we see mulch as more than just a finishing touch—it’s an essential tool for sustainable gardening.
The Big Mulching Benefits
Moisture Retention
One of mulch’s biggest strengths is keeping your soil hydrated. By reducing evaporation, mulch helps your garden hold onto water longer—especially handy during Sydney’s dry spells. Less watering = more time for you
Weed Control
A thick mulch layer creates a barrier that stops weeds in their tracks. That means less weeding, less competition for your plants, and more time enjoying your space (instead of constantly pulling out unwanted guests).
Soil Protection
Mulch shields the soil from sun damage, erosion, and temperature swings. It also prevents compaction, keeping your soil structure light and full of life. This is key for root health and nutrient uptake.
Improved Soil Health
Organic mulch breaks down slowly, feeding your garden as it decomposes. That ongoing nutrient release supports a healthy soil microbiome—perfect for growing strong, productive plants.
Choosing the Right Mulch for Your Garden
Not all mulches are created equal. Here are a few of our go-to mulch types and why we love them:
Wood Chip Mulch
Great for perennial beds, orchard zones, or native gardens. We prefer arborist mulch or leaf mulch as it promotes a fungal-dominant microbiology, which supports trees, shrubs, and long-lived plants. You can get large quantities for very cheap or even free by asking a local arborist or you can purchase exact quantities (in cubic metres) from a landscape supply store.
Where to find it in Sydney:
Straw & Lucerne Mulch
These fast-decomposing mulches are ideal for annual veggie gardens. They help create bacterial-dominant microbiology, which is exactly what your leafy greens and tomatoes thrive on.
Pick some up at:
Living Mulch
Think ground covers, low creepers, and soil-hugging plants like native violet or sweet potato vine. These act as living mulch, keeping the soil cool and moist while crowding out weeds.
Grow Your Own Mulch
Low-cost and low-impact. Clumping grasses like lemongrass, vetiver, sugarcane, and Poa grow fast and can be trimmed regularly to make your own mulch. Even hedge clippings and prunings can be chopped and laid directly on the garden. It’s a smart way to keep nutrients in the landscape—not your green bin.
Mulching Techniques That Work
Apply mulch around 5cm thick for good coverage.
Keep it away from the base of stems and trunks to avoid rot.
Replenish mulch as it breaks down—this is how you keep feeding your soil.
A Greener Garden Starts with Mulch
Mulching is one of the easiest ways to improve your garden—both in looks and performance. Whether you’re chasing less maintenance, healthier soil, or a more sustainable setup, mulch ticks all the boxes.
Let’s Mulch It Together
Not sure where to start? That’s where we come in. At Tierra Projects, we help Sydney homeowners build thriving, low-maintenance gardens using organic mulch, smart design, and sustainable systems.
Explore our Gardening Services Get a Quote Or just give us a call: 0401 041 004
