What is the primary purpose of mulching in landscaping?

The primary purpose of mulching in landscaping is to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. This practice involves applying a layer of material, such as organic mulch (wood chips, straw, bark) or inorganic mulch (stones, plastic), on the soil surface.

One of the key benefits of mulching is that it helps retain moisture in the soil, which is particularly important during hot or dry periods. By reducing evaporation, mulch ensures that plants have access to the water they need to thrive.

Additionally, mulch effectively suppresses weed growth by blocking sunlight and creating an environment where weeds struggle to germinate and grow. This can dramatically reduce the need for herbicides and minimize the labor required for weeding, allowing for healthier plant growth and maintenance of garden aesthetics.

While decorating the landscape or improving access to garden beds can be considerations in a landscaping plan, they are not the primary reasons for using mulch. Providing food for soil organisms is also a benefit of using organic mulches over time, but the immediate and most significant roles of mulching are moisture conservation and weed suppression.