Here’s why you ought to lay down newspaper before mulching

Mulching is a gardening practice that involves covering the soil with a protective layer of material to conserve moisture, improve soil health, reduce weed growth, and enhance the visual appeal of the garden. Common materials used for mulching include organic options like wood chips, straw, and leaves, as well as inorganic options like plastic and gravel.

The benefits of mulching are numerous: it helps retain soil moisture by reducing evaporation, moderates soil temperature, prevents soil erosion, and adds nutrients to the soil as organic mulch decomposes. Additionally, mulch can suppress weed growth by blocking sunlight, reducing the need for chemical herbicides.