These mulches are not organic by source. The do not provide nutrients to the soil but still provide water conserving attributes, and include:

• Rocks, stones, gravel, etc.;
  
• Sand.

What about a combination of mulches?

Various mulches can be combined in a garden bed. If there is a section, which in wet weather has a lot of water running through it, then a heavy mulch can be used that will not be washed away, e.g. river pebbles. If the water flow is very heavy it may be worthwhile creating an artificial dry creek bed using river stone concreted in place combined with loose river stones. Adjoining this area leaf litter can be used. This is ideal for native plant landscape gardens, or rainforest gardens.

 In selecting which mulch to use consider the following:

• The weight of the mulch - will it blow away in the wind, be washed away in light rain or be dislodged easily by watering; will it slip if the garden bank or bed has a steep slope, is it easy to spread?
•  How long before it has to be replaced or topped up?
• Is the mulch readily available?
• How much does it cost?
• Does it require some sort of edging to prevent it being dislodged?
• Does it encourage the presence of any vermin or pests into the garden?

Mulching Depth

These days the recommended mulching depth, depending on the material selected, is between 5cm – 7cm. At this depth most mulch will suppress weeds but still allow water penetration and keep the soil cool in summer and warmer in winter.  Mulching with less than this will be unsatisfactory but deeper mulch (although still often recommended) has through research in recent years been found to cause damage to plants and the soil. Thick layers of mulch (over 7.5cms) can contribute to water logged conditions - especially in clay soils; many plants resent wet feet! When excess mulch is applied right up to the trunks of trees it can lead to rot if the bark is continually wet – these conditions also favour disease. Thick, fine mulch can also prevent water penetration through to the soil – fine mulch often creates a hard mat on its surface and water just runs off the top rather than through; coarse mulch is always preferable.  Thick mulch can also create a nesting home for rats and mice!

It is not recommended that you lay impermeable plastic sheeting under mulch as it prevents water penetrating, and the reduced flow of air into the soil may cause problems for your plants. It has also been reported as encouraging cockroaches and nutgrass.

Weed mat appears similar to black plastic, but is permeable allowing water penetration and the flow of air around the plant roots, while greatly reducing the amount of weed growth.

IMPROVING DRAINAGE IN SOILS

Many warm areas have very high rainfall. Depending on which plants you wish to grow poor drainage may sometimes be a problem.

Overly wet ground is undesirable in most landscapes because it is unhealthy for plant life. It reduces the oxygen available to plant roots and beneficial soil organisms. It decreases soil temperatures, slowing root respiration. It increases humidity levels, which may lead to an increase in plant diseases. Wet soils may encourage the spread of root-rotting organisms such as Phytophthora and Pythium.

The availability of nutrients may be impaired or changed, for example, phosphorus may become less available in wet soil while manganese becomes more available. Surface water can become stagnant, unhealthy and unpleasant for people and animals. The ground can become inaccessible, slippery or soggy - therefore not useful for recreation and other purposes.

There are a number of ways to readily improve drainage, including:

• Growing your plants in raised beds. Soil can be retained using materials such as timber, rocks and concrete. Growing your plants on mounds. Drainage can be further improved by using builders’ rubble, old brick pieces, rocks, etc. to form the base of the mound, with sufficient soil placed on top to support plant growth.
•  Installing sub-surface drainage (e.g. slotted plastic agricultural drainage pipe).
• Diverting surface runoff away from your garden by installing surface drains or diversion channels, or by creating a sloping ground surface.
• Growing those plants that require good drainage in containers.

PLANTING

The best way to approach planting is usually the simplest way.

• Keep plants together in compatible groups. Keep natives together, herbs together, roses together, or alternatively plants that require similar amounts of watering, or similar amounts of shade.
• Let the fittest survive.
• Mass plant areas (i.e. several of the one variety together).
• Be prepared to get rid of plants which don't work (either don't look good or don't grow well).  There's no harm in being ruthless.

Preparation

Decline in many plants over years can sometimes be latent responses to poor soil preparation. If the soil and site are prepared for the plant, it should grow well and thrive as expected for many years. If it is not, then the plant may exhibit unthrifty growth, may be prone to more pests and diseases, may not flower well and may not reach its full potential.

Soil preparation usually involves adding organic matter, making a raised garden for the roots and ensuring is it well mulched and watered as required.

There are exceptions, of course. Some plants native to bogs will require a far wetter soil. Some plants from inland desert zones will require excellent freely drained soil the list of variations goes on.

The key here is to prepare the soil as needed by the plant. By doing this you save yourself a lot of heartache in the future.

Time of Planting

Avoid planting on hot or windy days. Plants are more likely to dry out in these conditions.
If trees and shrubs are likely to get a lot of attention, they can be planted successfully at almost any time of year however if they are going to be neglected they are best planted prior to the cooler months; or wetter time of the year.

When planting in warm areas where the wetter months are over summer, such as the northern parts of Australia, you can plant almost any time of the year as long as you provide sufficient moisture during dry periods, and good drainage during wet periods.

Availability of plants may influence planting time. If the plants are only available at one time of the year then the options are to plant immediately and take certain precautions to ensure their success; or look after the plant until the right planting time arrives.  If planting immediately, take extra care when teasing out the roots before planting and shade the plant from excessive sun.  Prune the plant lightly and keep it well watered.

Plant most container plants as follows:
a) Thoroughly soak the plant in the pot to help the plant come out of the pot easier, and allow it to drain.

b) Dig an irregular shaped hole - 1½ times the depth of the pot.

c) Add some compost to the soil you removed from the hole.

d) Fill the hole with water and check for drainage (this also wets the sub-soil).

e) Carefully take the plant out of the pot.

f) Loosen any exposed roots (i.e. if most of the roots are inside the soil ball, you might not need to do much.  If there is a tight mass of roots on the outside of the soil ball you may need to break a centimetre or so into the ball all over).  Free any roots circling the bottom.

g) Place the plant in the hole and cover with soil.  Firm down gently but firmly (don’t dig your heels into the soil as this compacts it.

h) Make a lip of soil around the base of the plant to hold water.

i) Soak thoroughly with water.

j) Top dress with fertiliser, water again and mulch.

Adding Fertiliser
You can get concentrated, fast acting fertilisers (which will feed more nutrients to the plant, very quickly) or slower acting, long term fertilizers. There are many possibilities in between these two extremes.  Avoid direct contact between the roots of a young plant and the stronger fertilisers.  Usually a slower acting fertiliser is more appropriate for use at planting, particularly in sandy soils.  Blood and bone, Osmocote (3 month formulation), or something similar is ideal for planting most plants.