Mulch

In agriculture and gardening, mulch is a protective cover placed over the soil, primarily to modify the effects of the local climate. A wide variety of natural and synthetic materials are used.

The way a particular organic mulch decomposes, and reacts to wetting by rain and dew, determine in great degree its effectiveness. Organic mulches can rot rapidly rather than slowly break down, and it can mat into a barrier that blocks water and air, both conditions that can be detrimental to crops.

--from wikipedia.org

Articles

• Choosing The Right Mulch For Your Garden - 3 Factors To Consider
  People new to gardening oftentimes overlook the importance of selecting the right mulch for their garden. Some factors are quite obvious, while others have not...
• The Importance of Using Mulch in your Garden
  
• Why Mulching Can Be A Huge Benefit To Your Garden (Part 1)
  

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