9. Failure to Mulch

Mulching is the most under-utilized and under-appreciated gardening practice. When starting a vegetable garden, it’s a tiny investment of time and resources at the beginning that pays big dividends down the road.

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A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of the soil between plants. For vegetable gardens, a 1-2" (2-5cm) layer is usually enough.

Mulches can be inorganic (stone, plastic) or organic (chipped or ground bark, sawdust, shredded paper). When starting a vegetable garden, use organic mulches because they eventually break down and enrich the soil.

Mulches:

Mulches also prevent or reduce the surface crusting that constricts around the stems of spring and fall vegetables, a constriction that’s one of the signals that causes these vegetables to bolt prematurely.

Mulches can reduce watering needs by 20% in hot climates.