Tackling a Sloping Garden? Here Are 5 Smart Mulching Tips for Mornington Peninsula Yards

If you live on a slope in South East Melbourne or the Mornington Peninsula, you know the struggle: beautiful views come with a side of slipping mulch, water run-off, and hard-to-manage garden beds. But with a few clever tricks, you can turn your tricky terrain into a lush, low-maintenance masterpiece. 

Here are 5 top tips that will make life easier and your garden a whole lot better looking.

Stop the Slip: Use Jute Matting or Coffee Sack

You know that feeling when you finish spreading mulch and then the first rain washes it halfway down the hill? Yeah, we’ve been there. The fix? Natural jute matting or upcycled coffee sacks.

These biodegradable layers go directly onto the soil, helping mulch stay put while still letting water through. Bonus: they break down over time and improve your soil health. You can grab jute matting from your local garden supplier or check out Green Harvest for sustainable options.

If using coffee sacks like the one pictured here, make sure you head down to your local hardware store and get some anchors to keep it in place, I’d also suggest cutting the bag in half to cover more space. 

In the future if you intend to plant on top of the bag simply cut out a circular hole with a craft knife. 

Cheap coffee bags bought on Ebay for 50c a bag!
An image showing a boulder terrace in Victoria Australia
Sometimes the most basic of terraces (in this case a big boulder) can do wonders for soil and mulch retention.

Terrace Like a Pro

Terracing doesn’t have to mean backbreaking retaining walls. Timber sleepers, recycled bricks, or even cleverly placed logs can help create small, level planting pockets. 

These slow water flow, hold mulch in place, and give you more control over what thrives where. Great for veggie beds, native plants, or feature areas with statement shrubs.

In my garden I have a mix of everything, we have a mixture of gentle slopes and slopes that you struggle to stand on.

Choose Your Bark Wisely

Not all mulch is created equal on a slope. Finer mulches (like pine bark fines) are more likely to wash away. Go for chunky, coarse mulch like pine bark nuggets or eucalyptus chip. 

These lock together better and are heavier, which means they’re more likely to stay put even in heavy rain. Pro tip: a layer about 7–10cm thick gives best results.

Bark mulch on the side of the hill in mornington peninsula
An image from my gaden. The left side had fine loose mulch applied 6 months ago. The righ side shows the difference with chunky wood chip and loose leaf.
An image showing red gum bark being held back by steel edging
Steel edging and fresh bark, an awesome combo

Add Edging to Hold It All Together

Edging isn’t just for looks. Timber, stone, or steel edging along your garden beds creates physical barriers to keep mulch and soil in place. 

Think of it like a seatbelt for your slope. It also helps define paths and planting areas, making your garden feel more structured (without losing that coastal relaxed vibe).

Plant for Purpose: Go Deep or Go Dense

Use your plants to do the heavy lifting. Deep-rooted natives like Dianella, Lomandra, or Grevillea help stabilise the soil. Or, go for groundcovers like Myoporum or Carpobrotus that grow dense and fast, creating a living mulch that reduces run-off and helps hold everything in place. 

For inspiration, check out Gardening With Angus for Aussie native ideas that thrive in local conditions.

An image showing hardy grasses holding up the hillside
These grasses are amazing at stabilizing the hill side (we have dozens)

A Bit of Hard Work... But So Worth It

Sloping gardens can be a bit of a workout, but the results? Absolutely worth it. With the right mulch, smart techniques, and a bit of know-how, you’ll be on your way to a stunning, sustainable garden that works with your slope, not against it.

And if you want a hand mulching your slope the right way, that just happens to be our thing at Groundwise. We know the local soil, the local weather, and the best bark for every backyard. 

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