Mulch madness - do you really need it?

We've all heard it: "Mulch is essential!" It's the gardening gospel, right? Well, we're here to say... maybe not. While mulch can be beneficial, it's not the be-all and end-all of gardening. There's another way, a more natural way, a lazy gardener's way: plant densely.

Think about it: in nature, plants grow close together, creating a living mulch that suppresses weeds. By planting your chosen plants relatively close together, you can achieve the same effect in your garden. The plants themselves will create a canopy that shades the soil, making it harder for weeds to break through.

This approach has several benefits:

• Less work: No more lugging bags of mulch around!

• More natural: Mimics how plants grow in the wild.  

• Cost-effective: Saves you money on mulch.

• Environmentally friendly: Reduces the need for manufactured products.

Now, we're not saying mulch is bad. It can be helpful in certain situations, like very dry areas or if you have particularly stubborn weeds. But it's not a must. So, if you're looking for a low-maintenance, natural approach to gardening, consider skipping the mulch and planting densely. You might be surprised at the results.

That’s why we pack our collections with between 10-15 plants per square metre. Which some would say is a little generous. We say it gives you loads of value, allows some plants to die without leaving great big holes – and most importantly, gives you incredible impact once they’ve all matured.