Mulching is a method used in gardening and agriculture where a protective layer of material (the mulch) is spread on top of the soil. Mulch can be organic, such as leaves, straw, or compost, or inorganic, like rocks or plastic sheets. The purpose of mulching is to conserve soil moisture, improve soil health, reduce weed growth, and protect plant roots from extreme temperatures. In the chop and drop method, the mulch is made up of the cuttings from the garden plants themselves.