Mulch has a number of different benefits for plants, trees, soil...you name it! Not only does it improve your soil, it helps make your garden beds look more attractive. When applied correctly, mulch will insulate plant roots from cold, prevent water loss in the summer, restrict weed growth, add important nutrients BACK into the soil, prevent diseases, and much, much more. There are several factors to consider when applying mulch, such as your local weather/climate, how much rainfall you receive, weed density, or if your soil is rich in nutrients: -

Some main guidelines in applying mulch are:

1. It is best to weed the planned area before applying any mulch, so water your soil before applying mulch if it is dry, to make it easier to pull weeds.
2. Use landscape fabric as a barrier to keep the amount of weeds to a minimum.
3. Start with a 3-4” deep layer of chosen mulch.