Using mulch is a good gardening habit but not mandatory; the benefits, however, makes it worth the effort. A really good job of mulching not only adds a ton of CURB APPEAL to your property also offers these benefits as well:

• Inhibits weed germination and growth. (Weeds are not only unsightly, but they also steal resources from desirable garden plants!)
• Holds in soil moisture, protecting your plants from drying out quickly
• Moderates soil-temperature fluctuations (This benefit is especially valuable during that turbulent-weather period in spring when you don’t want your plants to be stressed.)
• In cold-winter areas, protects plant roots from winter cold and helps prevent frost-heaving, in which plants are literally pushed out of the ground by the natural expansion and contraction of the soil as it cools off and heats up
• In hot-summer areas, helps keep plant roots cooler
• Depending on what you use, adds a bit of welcome nutrition to your property as it breaks down