Learn all the reasons why a fresh layer of mulch is key for a healthy garden next year, plus tips on how to ensure your plants are properly protected this winter. · there are multiple reasons mulching in the fall is favored by many gardeners. Fall may signal that the end of the growing season is near, but don’t put away your gardening tools quite yet. · applying mulch in the fall offers numerous advantages; · we spoke to several landscaping experts to solve this conundrum once and for all—and they overwhelmingly support mulching in the fall. Doing your mulching in the fall means you won’t have to do it in the hot months. · mulch laid in the fall can trap moisture and foment fungal diseases, although this is more common with heavy mulches like wood chips. It helps retain soil moisture, minimize weed growth, and enhance soil quality. Tidying beds and dividing perennials are more worthwhile tasks this fall. · as long as your garden is mulched , there’s no need to add more in the fall. Ideally, you should weed the area to be mulched in the fall prior to laying the mulch. · while garden mulching is often associated with spring cleanup and fresh plantings, its just as important to apply mulch in the fall. · find out how and when to mulch in the fall to protect plants from the cold, retain needed soil moisture, reduce weeds, and more. Doing any gardening task with the sun pouring its heat down your back is nothing short of torture. This safeguards your garden during the upcoming harsh, wet, and cold days, protecting the roots of your shrubs, perennials, and trees underground.