Mulch cuts evaporation, buffers soil temperature, reduces crusting on clay, and blocks some splash-borne disease. Two to three inches of leaves, wood chips (kept off stems as needed), or other organic mulch is infrastructure—not a Pinterest optional. Combine with drip or soaker and morning watering and you stop playing hose roulette at 7pm every night.
If your plants need daily emergency floods, your system is wrong. Fix mulch and delivery before you buy another “moisture control” fertilizer myth.
Exam takeaway
Mulch + drip + deep soaks. See the watering module.