Mulch is an organic layer on the soil surface. The Amish mulch everything: garden, orchard, paths.
Materials
Straw — most popular (after wheat harvest). Grass clippings — free, but lay thin (thick rots). Leaves — in fall. Wood chips — for paths and around trees. Newspaper — under straw as extra weed barrier.
Why
Weeds: 10–15 cm layer blocks light, weed seeds can't sprout. Saves hours of weeding weekly. Moisture: mulch slows evaporation — water half as often. Temperature: protects roots from summer heat and winter frost. Soil: as it decomposes, mulch feeds the earth — free fertilizer.
Rules
Don't bury plant stems — they'll rot. Leave 5 cm around tree trunks. Spring: pull mulch back to let soil warm. Fall: add layers for protection.