Mulch seems to be a frequent topic, but I always find myself looking at it and wondering why? I found that by spending a few minutes a day weeding while my plants were starting out I quickly got to the point where weeds were completely shaded out by the dense growth of desired plants in my SFG. I had to pull the occasional weed around the base of the tomatoes, but never enough work to deal with the hassle I perceive as being associated with mulch and mulching.

If I use grass clippings I would be introducing all sorts of weed seeds. If I use almost anything else I would have to remove it when the time came to pull up my plant, mix in fresh compost, and plant again. Unless you are in an area with a different climate from mine, where you really need the mulch to help keep moisture in the soil (moisture which must have to fight its way through that mulch in the first place) it just seems at odds with the whole SFG method, your plants should be close enough together to be their own mulch.

maybe it depends on where you are, but out here on the plains, mulch is essential, in my opinion. it's not so much a matter of surpressing weeds, which it does, it's more keeping the soil evenly moist, keeping the clay from turning into bricks, and keeping it cooler in the summer heat. i usually use spoiled straw which decomposes and enriches the soil, but i've used grass clippings and leaves with no problems either.

I'm casting my vote for mulch. Last year was the first year in four that I mulched my raised boxes. I was amazed at the difference. I was able to see a noticeable growth and overall improvement in my peppers within days after mulching them with straw. After that I mulched all the raised boxes. I ended up mulching all the vegetables in the garden as well as not everything is grown in boxes....

I really don't have a problem with weeds in the veggie garden. I think the biggest difference was in keeping the soil temperature down alittle and moisture levels up.

Yes, I am a true believer in mulching my veggies now, the rewards, imo, are worth the little extra work.

I mulch for three reasons:

1. It cuts down on the watering.
2. It keeps my beds cool during hot 100º+++ summer days in SoCal.
3. I use straw and/or alfalfa hay mulch. This breaks down over time and nurishes the planting mix. The plants love it and so do the worms!

Out here where we get 110ºF summer and fall days, mulch really is a necessity if I want healthy tomatoes and squash. You may not need mulch in your area, but the decaying matter that the mulch provides will still be a benefit for you.

This year I'm experimenting with living green mulch, so that may be something for you to look into if interested.

I also mulch. Last year, I didn't do sfg, but did have some veggie beds and grew some things in containers. I found that the mulch helped to hold the moisture in. Kept the soil cooler and this year, that same mulch is pretty much broken down which adds compost to the soil. I see it as a win win situation!!!