Mulch is used in the garden for a variety of purposes, but it primarily is used to prevent weed growth, to retain moisture, and to protect root systems from the heat of the summer sun. In fact, mulch used in the vegetable garden provides much of the same results as cultivation does.
Mulch is also used as winter and spring coverings for low growing small fruits, to slow flowering and fruiting, or to protect them from injury from late frosts.
Common material for mulching the vegetable garden include straw, hay and leaves. The mulch is usually built up 4 to 6 inches high for maximum protection.
The question has arisen as to whether it is smarter, and more effective to mulch versus cultivating. The answer, not surprisingly, is that it depends. A general rule of thumb is that vegetables with a long growing season benefit from mulching, while short and early season vegetables require relatively little cultivation, and so it’s of less value to expend the cost to mulch them.
Plastic mulch is sometimes used to warm the soil before seeds or seedlings are planted, and to keep it warm during the early spring, when the heat of the sun can warm the soil even though the air is still crisp.
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Another reason to choose mulch over cultivation is if you expect that your garden will need to be neglected over a period of time. If you’re planning a two-week summer holiday, by mulching the garden, you can minimize weed growth, and retain as much moisture as possible, so that your plants are more likely to survive your absence.
Lastly, mulch can be used as a winter fertilizer.
Fall leaves chopped by the lawn mower or leaf shredder make a perfect topper for the garden, especially if you use raised boxes. The layer of leaves protect the soil from the elements, reducing soil loss through the winter, and come spring, the mostly decomposed leaves can be turned into the soil, providing valuable nutrients to the garden.