Mulch
* Most mulch is composed of shredded wood and bark.
* Most mulches help retain water as well as control weeds
  - to keep soil surfaces loose and receptive to water absorption
* Some mulch helps soil moisture
  - mulches remove nitrogen from the soil, so be sure to supplement with nitrogen when appropriate
* adds nutrients.
* affect soil temperature, so match the type of mulch to the heat preferences of the crops.
* aid in conserving water as well as preventing weeds from growing in perennial plant beds.
* also aid in maintaining a uniform soil temperature
  - conserve moisture, prevent erosion, and reduce soil compaction
* also control temperatures around plants
  - weed growth and reduce erosion and soil compaction
  - discourage weeds and can improve soil conditions
* also help conserve soil moisture
  - prevent certain soil-borne diseases and some weeds
  - protect roots during winter from cold and fluctuating temperatures
  - retain soil moisture and warmth
* also help to control weeds
  - keep the soil cooler in hot summer conditions
  - improve water penetration and minimize soil crusting
* also prevent the plants from being heaved out of the ground
  - weed growth and control erosion in problem areas
  - weeds seeds from reaching the soil
* also reduce moisture evaporation from the soil
  - suppress weed growth and organic mulches add nutrients to the soil as they decompose
* are a blanket of protection for plants
  - also useful to provide temporary groundcover until vegetation can become established
  - any materials used on the surface of the soil
  - beneficial for controlling weeds and maintaining good soil moisture
  - usually very effective in reducing water loss from soil and suppressing weed growth
* attracts earthworms.
* block light from the soil below, thus preventing the seedlings from becoming established.
* break down to form organic matter
  - the fall of water drops, which can cause the soil to compact and inhibit plant growth
* can aid water conservation in a garden
  - also increase water penetration into the soil
* can also prevent erosion and retain soil moisture
  - wind and water erosion of soil
  - provide landscape interest and offer protective cover until plants mature
  - reduce weeds and can add color and texture to a landscape
* can be an ideal hiding place for insects such as slugs and snails
  - left in place permanently, they eventually decompose and become part of the soil
  - the easiest and most effective way to control annual weeds in the garden
  - useful in holding moisture near the plant
  - very useful for the suppression of weeds, insect pests, and some plant diseases
  - change the soil temperature
  - cover areas without having any plants, or they can combine with plants
  - delay soil warming in the spring
  - effectively limit spotted spurge if they prevent light from reaching the seed
* can help keep weeds under control
  - reduce the severity of some diseases, such as blights on tomatoes
  - significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture
  - strongly delineate a new flower bed or where grass has died out in the shade
  - suppress weeds
* conserve and maintain a uniform moisture supply, thereby helping to reduce blossom-end rot.
* conserve moisture and moderate soil moisture extremes
  - moisture, keep soil cool, and prevent weed seed germination
  - soil moisture and reduce incidence of blossom-end rot
* control most annual weeds
  - weeds by excluding light
* control weeds by preventing sunlight from reaching the soil surface
* cover and cool soil, minimize evaporation, reduce weed growth, and slow erosion
  - the soil and discourage evaporation, weed growth, and erosion
  - shades soil, minimize evaporation, reduce weed growth, and slow erosion
  - the soil and minimize evaporation, reduce weeds and slow erosion
* decrease runoff during storms, providing more water for plant growth.
* effectively control most annual weeds.
* encourage worm activity and other beneficial life in the soil.
* gives frost protection
* has benefits.
* have many beneficial effects on the soil, plants and the area surrounding the plants
  - no marked influence on the vitamin or mineral content of the plant material
  - the advantage of conserving soil moisture and keeping fruit clean
* help conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature and control weeds around trees and shrubs
  - control annual weeds and conserve soil moisture
* help keep the ground moist and reduce weed growth
  - soil well aerated by shielding the soil from compaction by rain
  - weeds down, reduce water loss and stabilize soil temperatures
  - maintain a uniform soil temperature
* help prevent soil compaction
  - the soil from drying, the soil surface from crusting, and weeds from growing
* help reduce evaporation from the sun, thereby decreasing watering needs
  - moisture loss from the soil
  - water needs and control weeds
  - retain soil moisture and reduce winter injury due to water stress
* help to control weeds and conserve moisture
  - keep down weeds and conserve soil moisture
  - regulate moisture, control unwanted vegetation, and moderate soil temperatures
* helps control weeds
* hold moisture in the soil, prevent weed growth, and reduce soil crusting and splashing
  - soil moisture and provide ground protection from rain damage
* improve and stabilize soil structure, the arrangement of the soil particles.
* includes sections.
* insulate plants from drastic temperature changes
  - the soil, maintain even soil moisture and prevent mud from spattering the flowers
* is made of compost
  - mature compost
  - protective covering
* keep clay soil from cracking after rains.
* keep the soil from overheating when summer temperatures rise
  - warmer during cool weather and cooler during warm weather
* limit the heaving action of the soil and, thus, prevent bulb exposure.
* maintains moisture.
* modify soil temperature in home gardens
* prevent light from reaching the soil surface and inhibit weed seed germination and growth
  - loss of moisture from the soil by evaporation
* prevent the soil from overheating and drying out
  - trunks of trees and shrubs from damage by lawn equipment
* prevents damage
  - frost damage
* protect the soil from erosion.
* protects plants.
* provide a barrier that helps prevent moisture loss from the soil by evaporation
  - cushion against freezing and thawing
  - food, moisture and a habitat source for termites
  - shelter, moisture or food for many different insects and their relatives
* reduce evaporation of moisture from the soil
  - water from the soil and limit weed growth
  - evaporation, help keep moisture in, and reduce weeds
  - evaporative losses
* reduce the amount of water lost by evaporation from the soil by forming a barrier
  - fluctuation of soil moisture and that helps the crop enormously
  - water loss from evaporation and promote water gene- tration by reducing compaction
  - weed-growth around plants
  - wind erosion in tree rows and prevent crusting of the soil surface
* retain soil moisture and improve soil quality
  - too much moisture
* retains moisture
* save water in the Garden because they reduce evaporation from the soil surface.
* serve many purposes.
* shade and cover the soil and minimize evaporation.
* suppress weed growth, conserve soil water, and keep the soil cooler
  - weeds, thus saving a lot of work
* surrounds homes.
* usually provide natural places for slugs to hide.