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Using mulch in the garden is one of the most effective methods for controlling weeds but what kind of mulch works best? Here are my top 10 mulches for reducing weeds in your garden.

1. Groundcovers
   Living mulches such as groundcovers look great and reduce weeds by successfully competing with them. My groundcover of choice is the Australian Native Violet, although it doesn’t do well in full sun. Choose a groundcover suitable for your soil and climate.
2. Newspaper
   Place newspaper (10 sheets thick) around plants and cover with grass clippings.
3. Cardboard
   As with newspaper, place cardboard on the ground being sure to cover the entire area. Cover with grass clippings or straw.
4. Municipal Compost
   Spread a thick layer of compost around garden beds.
5. Plant Prunings
   Shredded tree and shrub prunings make an excellent compost and mulch. You would need to be doing an awful lot of pruning to have enough to mulch a whole garden but you might be able to get some from a local garden maintenance company.
6. Stones or Pebbles
   Pebbles look great placed around plants as mulch but obviously they don’t biodegrade and improve the soil structure. They are also quite expensive so they are probably best used in small areas or in pots.
7. Leaves
   If you have a lot of leaves these can be used as mulch. They can look a bit messy and leaf mulches don’t last long but is a good option in autumn.
8. Wood Chips
   Chipped scrap wood is very effective in keeping out weeds. Wood chips are available in various colours.
9. Composted Bark
   This looks great but it can be expensive.
10. Straw
    Not very attractive but it is effective at keeping out weeds.

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