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Gardening in Oz

Sugar cane mulch drying out garden?

whippersnapper78

9 years ago

Hi everyone,

Frequent reader, first time poster...

Our soil in Melbourne's SE suburbs is dry grey sand. After a year of using woodchip mulch in the garden, I noticed that at the bottom of the mulch, where it was decomposing, the soil was improving and there were some worms. I wanted to encourage and accelerate this process so bought some sugar cane mulch from Bunnings as I'd read that these straw-like mulches decompose faster, which I thought would be better for the soil improvement.

I must have made a mistake somewhere along the way because the sugar cane mulch isn't 'working' as expected. It seems to form an impermeable mat when I water and the soil underneath remains bone dry. For example, yesterday I was watering an area of about 3-4sqm with the hose on 'shower' for around 5 minutes. Afterwards I drew back the mulch to see how much had soaked through and the soil was dry as if no water had penetrated at all. Even the middle layers of the mulch were dry. I don't know where the water actually went...

I think I may have started too thick - the mulch layer was initially 7-10cm thick. I've since reduced that to around 2cm but the results are the same. Have I misunderstood how to mulch? Will the sugar cane not decompose that fast? Is it one of those that needs to stay wet to not become water repellant?

Help please, much appreciated!
W

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Comments (6)

keithgh
9 years ago
W

I am on the Mornington Peninsula and we have sand if I dig 3-4 ft down I will find a pure fatty sand.

I used the Council mulch for many years, then switched to Sugar Cane ages ago.

There are a few tips you should follow.

Make sure the soil is wet first best after a good soaking rain.

First prepare the soil by adding plenty of Moo Poo, Dynamic Lifter and Saturade lightly dig it in and give it a good hose in.

Mulch I have use it 15-20cm+ spread it best you can then give it a good watering.

I know its a lot of work but it works.

The soil is well fed and damp, the sugar cane on top stops the water evaporating.

A good watering at least twice a week and the underneath will not dry out.

A little Saturade helps the water penetrate the Sugar Cane.

Keith
whippersnapper78
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Keith,

I do notice that the straw mulch seems to bed down better after rain (such as this morning). 15-20cm sounds like quite a lot but I have heaps of the stuff left over so could easily top up.

Do you compact it down when laying or just spread it? Based on my experience, I'm struggling to see how the top layers won't dry out and blow away (even if the lower layers and the soil are still moist)

Cheers,
W
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lazy_gardens
9 years ago
To encourage wetting, mix a teaspoon or so of a liquid dishwashing detergent in a watering can and wet the mulch with it. (mix as much as you need.

Sugar cane has a waxy layer that might be causing you problems.
keithgh
9 years ago
W

I just lay it down but when working on the garden it gets pushed down but springs back.

Ours never blows away possibly its used on the gardens at the protected side of our home.

The birds dig it up looking for worms etc.

Keith
funnelweb
9 years ago
My garden covers over an acre and I've been using sugar-cane mulch for over ten years. As sugar-cane farms are only about 10 to 15 minutes away, I buy direct from them, currently at $4.50 a bale. I find coverage lasts about 8 to 10 months before needing renewal or 'top-up'. It does help to prevent evaporation, though you need good rain for moisture to penetrate initially; it reflects the strong sunlight ensuring the soil below is cool, and, although I'm in a windy location, the wind has to be pretty strong to disturb it. It is also a good weed suppressant.
B
whippersnapper78
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone for all your helpful follow ups! I think I'm going to try mulchnet.com
Cheers,
W

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