What is mulch?

Mulch is a layer of organic material (straw, leaves, grass clippings, wood chips) on the soil. It keeps moisture, feeds soil life and stops weeds. Spread 5–8 cm once the soil has warmed up in spring. Rules: loosen the soil and pull weeds before mulching; keep the layer at 5–7 cm all season; don't pile fresh grass against stems, it heats up to 45 °C; green grass suits the first half of summer (nitrogen), hay and straw later. Hide drip tape under the mulch. Lay leaves thin: a thick wet layer mats into a crust.