AQUATREK offers the following observations:

• Firstly, what plants are you either growing or intend planting? For ease of maintenance, plants of similar water requirement and PH preference should be grouped together. PH kits are inexpensive, easy to use and a bit of preparation beforehand will save a lot of frustration later on.
  
• Thoroughly water the soil prior to spreading the mulch. Many people spread the mulch, then water! Pre check the soil for any hydrophobic areas and treat if necessary.
  
• Keep mulch away from the stems & trunks of plants & trees to avoid collar rot.
  
• Woodchip mulch draws nitrogen from the soil as it breaks down, turning foliage yellow. Spread compensating agents on the soil prior to mulching. Suggested products are pea straw, lucerne and blood and bone (with potash added). Pea straw seedlings will likely germinate but these are easily removed and a small price to pay for the long term benefits.
  
• Decomposing mulch can cause the soil to become hydrophobic, particularly after a long, dry period.  

Are there areas or plants that require additional watering?

• Use SUPADIVERTA and Gravity Fed Drip Hoses to address your gardens special needs and save time, money and possibly some of your valuable plants!
  
• If you have compost, now is the time to use it. Don’t worry if it is not completely broken down, the worms will be jumping up to thank you for it. Holes packed with compost and wet newspaper sprinkled with blood and bone will turn into worm breeding factories and you will be their friend for life!
  
• Do not use heavily coloured newsprint, brochures or glossy magazines as the ink is petroleum based, unlike normal black news ink which is vegetable based.
  
• Many soil wetting agents are also petroleum based and organic based products can be hard to find. Petroleum based agents can adversely impact on worms and beneficial soil organisms but they do have a longer treatment life span than organic agents which, by nature, are biodegradable.