Mulch can be an unsung garden hero; it helps soil retain moisture, regulates temperature, reduces weeds, and prevents erosion.

I recommend filling bare soil in garden beds with plants or leaf piles, but in the meantime, mulch provides a fresh look and a boost to soil health during the first several years of a new garden’s life.

Each year, our summers become hotter and drier—changing how our gardens grow and how we care for them. But plants don’t have to suffer. With a shift in approach, summer gardens can remain beautiful, healthy spaces.