It grows well in shade so it can grow between crops. It also is the ideal living mulch for pathways in that it survives being trampled and driven over. There are a few disadvantages of mulching, but these can easily controlled. Slug problems can be exacerbated by mulches. Mulches affect soil temperature, so match the type of mulch to the heat preferences of the crops.
Mulches can delay soil warming in the spring.
In early spring, remove mulch from beds that will planted early. Replace the mulch around plants once the soil warms up a few weeks later. The following are simple mulching ideas to get started. Put straw or plant white clover in garden pathways Use straw or a thick layer of old hay around garlic. Mulch in the fall before planting, then simply pull aside the mulch and plant.