Much ado about mulch

From the garden Much ado about mulch

Mulch is mulch is mulch. Right? Well, yes and no. The materials used as mulch are the same, but how and when the materials are used are not. There is summer mulching and winter mulching.

Summer mulch is laid down to cool plant roots from the summer heat, conserve moisture, and reduce weed populations. Winter mulch on the other hand is used to protect plants from …