Functionally, mulches discourage weeds from growing, conserve moisture during drought periods, allow better use of water by controlling runoff and increasing water-holding capacity of light, sandy soils.
Mulches help maintain a uniform soil temperature.
Many organic materials can be used as a mulch. North Carolina gardeners use pine needles, pine bark, compost, peat moss, and decayed sawdust. Most of our landscape plants benefit from working organic matter into the root zone area. Mulch can be applied just about any time of the year when trees and shrubs are being planted. The best time, however, to apply mulch in established bed areas would be in mid-spring when soil temperature has warmed up enough for sufficient root growth.