Mulching formula

1. Find the square of the area to be mulched (use either a tape measure or pace it out). The garden bed in our segment was 12m x 1m, or 12 square metres.

2. For a mulch 100mm or  4″ (1/10 of a metre) deep, divide the square area by 10. In this case, 12 square metres divided by 10 gave us 1.2 cubic metres.

3. Don rounded up that figure and ordered 1.5 cubic metres of composted pine bark to mulch the garden bed.

Types of mulch

Organic mulches break down and release nutrients into the soil. Examples include lucerne hay, pea straw, rice hulls, mushroom compost, leaf litter, compost and composted pine bark.

Inorganic mulches such as pebbles, rocks and boulders look good and keep the ground underneath cool and moist. They are often used around cacti and other succulents that do not require additional organic matter.

Pine, cedar, and hemlock mulches are good alternatives to cocoa bean mulch if you have pets. However, keep in mind that dogs can choke on mulch and must still be supervised. This is especially true with pine needle mulch, as the pine needles can actually puncture the stomach lining if ingested. Some dogs and cats may exhibit symptoms of allergic reaction to certain types of mulch. Signs that your pet may be suffering from an allergic reaction include rash, pus filled bumps, excessive itching and irritability. If you suspect that your pet has had an allergic reaction from mulch, it’s imperative that you seek medical attention immediately.