Using and applying Sugar Cane Mulch to the vegetable and flower garden to retain moisture, suppress weeds and add organic matter to the soil has lots of benefits, and is a simple and effective process.
Available for sale in compressed bales, this is a mulch that has become popular with Australian Gardeners and now comes cut, processed and baled into compressed wrapped packages for easy transportation.
What is sugar cane mulch?
It is a by product of the sugar industry.
Used as a mulch, sugar cane is great for retaining water as well as adding organic matter to the soil as it breaks down. Also used widely as a weed suppresser.
Some sugar cane mulch is certified as 100% organic other types are not.
How to use it
When applying make sure that you water the soil well before spreading the mulch to a depth of 5cm. Like all mulches sugar can mulch should be kept away from the stems and trunks of trees and plants. Many gardeners add other materials such as grass clippings, blood and bone and lime to accelerate the composting process when using sugar cane.
Sugar cane Mulch will not break down as quickly as Lucerne Mulch or Pea Straw, an advantage or disadvantage depending on the application.
Sugar Cane Mulch and Termites.
More theories here than termites. One is that the chemicals in sugar cane mulch will deter termites, so what about organic sugar cane mulch ? Another is that termites will eat sugar cane mulch the same as any other mulch. A third is that because it breaks down fairly quickly it is less likely to attract termites than wood chips. The jury is out on that one……
However, Tea Tree Mulch is said to be a deterrent.
Benefits of sugar cane as a mulch
- helps control weeds
- is usually weed free and will not germinate
- allows good water penetration to the soil
- provides a cool root run
- encourages earth worms
- easy to apply
- sugar cane mulch decomposes completely and adds nutrients to the soil
- helps keep soil temerature higher during colder months enhancing growth and microbal activity.
- sugar cane mulch is available in handy compressed bales (chopped) wrapped for easy transport
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