January is an ideal time here in the Coachella Valley to take a closer look at mulch in your landscape. While often associated with summer water savings, mulch plays an equally important role during our cooler months—especially in our desert climate. A healthy layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture, reduce evaporation, and moderate soil temperatures. During winter, this insulation protects plant roots from cool nighttime temperatures while still allowing the soil to absorb warmth during the day. Mulch also suppresses weeds, which compete with plants for water and nutrients [...]