Most homeowners are looking for ways of reducing maintenance in their yards and gardens. The use of a mulch around plants can greatly reduce the time spent mowing and weeding. A mulch consists of any kind of material applied to the soil surface around plants to control weeds, conserve moisture, and moderate soil temperature. Mulches suppress weeds when the mulch material itself is weed-free and is applied deeply enough to prevent weed germination or smother existing smaller weeds. An occasional weed may poke through the mulch, but it can be easily pulled out.
Mulch materials have many beneficial effects upon the soil and plants.
They prevent loss of water from the soil by evaporation. Moisture moves by capillary action to the surface and evaporates if not covered by a mulch. Mulching will prevent crusting of the soil surface, thus improving absorption and percolation of water into the soil and at the same time, eliminating erosion. Maintenance of a more uniform soil temperature can be obtained by mulching. The mulch acts as an insulator that keeps the soil cool under intense sunlight and warm during cold spells.