Mulch is used in the garden for many reasons. It helps the soil retain moisture, provides nutrients, discourages weeds, provides drainage, insulates the soil in winter and cools it in summer, provides food for soil creatures and improves soil structure.
Cocoa shells - made from cocoa shells, this mulch is ideal for flowerbeds. It is pleasant to handle and has a strong smell of chocolate. After a few weeks, the shells bind together to make a loosely knitted, porous mat over the soil surface, which provides excellent ground cover in larger borders where weeding can be difficult and time consuming. This binding effect means that a 5cm (2in) mulch layer will be adequate wherever it is used.
Manure - well-rotted manure can be bought from garden centres. In the fruit or vegetable garden, it provides a rich base of nutrients as it decomposes. When applying it to borders in spring, always use well-rotted manure and lay it 7.5cm (3in) thick. Unrotted manure should only be applied in autumn, in a layer 5cm to 7.5cm (2in to 3in) thick. Always wear gloves when handling manure.