I'm not sold on the alleged benefits of mulch.

While the weather and my poor soil have much to do with the weak performance of my garden this year, it also seems mulching has done more harm than good. Last year, I had some fairly minor insect problems. Mostly aphids and whiteflies. This year, insect damage has been much worse. Turns out heavy mulch just gives damaging insects a place to hide, breed and feed on roots and stems unseen. For any weeds or grass which are already in place before mulching, it just makes them harder to control without removing the mulch. Since mulch helps the soil remain moist, it also increases chances of fungal issues.

Maybe I'm naive. Still learning. However, I have wondered why, if mulch is so great, don't commercial farmers use more of it?

Mulch does have value, no doubt. However, in my case, it seems the best value is with it composted and/or mixed into the soil, not on the surface.

There is no doubt that successive years of planting draws more harmful insects. They colonize an area, so once they find a place to feed, you see more of them the following year. Maybe the same year.

Mulch may reduce need for watering but it will do that mixed into the soil as well as on top.

Next year I'll at least start off with no mulch. If I plant densely and co-plant things of various heights, it should result in a natural mulch effect with fewer hiding/breeding spots.

At least some of the lacewings hatched! Seen some of them around and recalled they were beneficial but had absolutely forgotten I put them there! They're so small you don't think a lot about them at first. (Aside from whether they're harmful or beneficial.)

Combination of lacewings, ladybugs and cooler weather seem to be effective. Beneficials were largely hidden for a while but venturing out more now. Means they have to go farther to feed. Improving garden condition is another good sign. All will start hibernating soon.

Have quite a few mini pumpkins growing now. Daughter should be happy! I'm waiting for the giants to flower. Man, those grow fast! Definitely plant more of those next year!I'm not sold on the alleged benefits of mulch.

While the weather and my poor soil have much to do with the weak performance of my garden this year, it also seems mulching has done more harm than good. Last year, I had some fairly minor insect problems. Mostly aphids and whiteflies. This year, insect damage has been much worse. Turns out heavy mulch just gives damaging insects a place to hide, breed and feed on roots and stems unseen. For any weeds or grass which are already in place before mulching, it just makes them harder to control without removing the mulch. Since mulch helps the soil remain moist, it also increases chances of fungal issues.

Maybe I'm naive. Still learning. However, I have wondered why, if mulch is so great, don't commercial farmers use more of it?

Mulch does have value, no doubt. However, in my case, it seems the best value is with it composted and/or mixed into the soil, not on the surface.

There is no doubt that successive years of planting draws more harmful insects. They colonize an area, so once they find a place to feed, you see more of them the following year. Maybe the same year.

Mulch may reduce need for watering but it will do that mixed into the soil as well as on top.

Next year I'll at least start off with no mulch. If I plant densely and co-plant things of various heights, it should result in a natural mulch effect with fewer hiding/breeding spots.

At least some of the lacewings hatched! Seen some of them around and recalled they were beneficial but had absolutely forgotten I put them there! They're so small you don't think a lot about them at first. (Aside from whether they're harmful or beneficial.)

Combination of lacewings, ladybugs and cooler weather seem to be effective. Beneficials were largely hidden for a while but venturing out more now. Means they have to go farther to feed. Improving garden condition is another good sign. All will start hibernating soon.

Have quite a few mini pumpkins growing now. Daughter should be happy! I'm waiting for the giants to flower. Man, those grow fast! Definitely plant more of those next year!