- Mulching around plants helps reduce the amount of evaporation that can occur during the heat of day. By mulching around you plants, you can save up to 70 percent water loss in a day, according to the Greater Wellington Regional Council. For gardeners using non-native plants that require a lot of water, mulch can save on water bills. It is important when planting your garden to water your plants before applying mulch to ensure that their dry root systems have quick access to water.
- Weeds can be kept at bay when gardeners spread mulch around plants. Mulch prevents sunlight from hitting the soil, which means it can prevent weed seeds from germinating. In addition, mulch provides a physical barrier, protecting your plants from weeds. Gardeners should use a mulch that they know is free of weeds or the mulch will not provide protection. Organic mulch should be purchased or you can apply your own organic mulch like compost that you know is free of weed seeds.
- A bare slope or garden area is in danger of soil erosion from lack of vegetation. Mulch can reduce soil erosion by absorbing some of the moisture from rain or reducing water runoff. While most mulch types can be used to control soil erosion, gardeners may have problems with using landscaping fabric. Landscaping fabric breaks down when exposed to sunlight. Areas of the landscape fabric may start to fray if used without mulch being placed on top of the material.
- Mulch can be used to make soil either more acidic or alkaline. As organic mulch decomposes, it adds nutrients to the soil and changes the soil's pH range. Acidic mulches such as pine needles, pine bark and sphagnum peat moss can be used around acidic-loving plants such as roses. Alkaline mulches like compost will make the surrounding soil more alkaline over time. Make sure that you use the right mulch that matches your plant's preferred pH range.