Mulch – things like bark, wood chips, straw, leaf litter or special mulching materials – acts like a protective blanket on top of the soil. It serves a few useful purposes at once.
First, it shades the soil, slowing evaporation. That means moisture stays in the ground longer, and you don’t need to water as often. In hot or windy conditions, this makes a big difference.
Second, it blocks light from reaching weed seeds. Fewer weeds sprout, and the ones that do are easier to pull because the soil underneath stays softer. That saves you time and effort.
Mulch also moderates temperature swings and, if organic, slowly breaks down to enrich the soil. Altogether, your plants get a more stable environment, and you get less maintenance.
Spread a layer a few centimetres thick, keeping it a little away from stems, and your beds instantly look tidier and function better.
