Mulch is any material placed over soil in the garden. It's designed to retain moisture, deter weeds and keep the soil from eroding.

The benefits of mulch are plentiful. For the busy gardener, mulch is a great time-saving device because it helps to prevent weeds from sprouting in the garden. In addition, it can keep the soil moist, reducing the need for constant watering. Mulch will enrich the existing soil and will prevent rain and other elements from washing it away. Besides, a thick layer of mulch looks much better in a garden than bare soil.

Mulch can come from several sources. You can either buy mulch through your landscaper or garden center, or you can make your own by shredding leaves, sticks, grass, bark, compost and other organic material. By doing this instead of throwing the material out with the trash, you're recycling and saving the environment from more landfill. Manure also makes a great mulch, but many people shy away from it because of the smell.

When choosing a mulch, there are several factors to take into consideration, for instance, the type of plant, the climate and even the type of soil underneath. Your gardening expert can help you choose the type of mulch that's right for your garden. The instructions on the bag are detailed and informative. Some mulches are dyed black or red to look nicer in the garden. If this isn't for you, non-dyed mulch is readily available, and most landscapers and nurseries prefer to vend the dye free variety.

Some mulching basics:

• In order to reap maximum benefits, a layer of mulch should be two to four inches thick.
• A coarse mulch will help to keep weeds from erupting in your garden.
• A fine mulch will decompose quickly, leading to more frequent mulching.
• Before mulching, remove all weeds and give the soil a good, thorough soaking.
• Mulch should never be incorporated into the soil as this can hinder a plant's growth. Instead, place mulch only on top of the soil.
• A thick layer of newspaper works as mulch. Since most newspapers have vegetable-based inks, there's no need to worry about damage to the environment.

If you're starting a garden, don't forget to mulch. Your plants and soil will be much healthier and your garden as a whole will look nicer.