Last year, garden pests were a common nuisance, particularly slugs, which thrive in damp environments and are a beeline for delicious crops that take significant effort to grow. This April presents gardeners with a different problem: stimulating the all-important growth with little rain as temperatures linger around 20C across the UK.

The unusually dry weather means flowers may wilt, and seemingly delicious crops will be lacklustre, perhaps struggling to flourish without a helping hand. Ruth Darrah of the Norfolk School of Gardening has revealed the "biggest single thing" gardeners should do now. Whether in a garden or allotment, the gardening expert suggests mulching to be a big help in dry spells.

Mulching is a simple way to protect plants in unfavourable conditions. It involves covering the soil surface with a layer of material, typically organic matter like compost or bark, to improve plant health and soil conditions.

This layer, known as mulch, helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, add nutrients to the soil, and protect plant roots from temperature extremes.

As the UK braces to return to cooler, wetter conditions, it's an opportune time to boost plants.

Sharing her wisdom in the Eastern Daily Press, Ruth said: "Ideally soak your beds and borders first and then add whatever mulch you can get hold of: your own compost, well-rotted manure, mushroom compost, wood chip, spent compost from last year’s pots and containers."

Applying mulch correctly to maximise its benefits while avoiding pitfalls such as root rot is essential.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises that mulch be applied at a controlled depth - Ruth recommends around 10cm.

Importantly, mulch should be kept away from the trunks and stems of trees, shrubs and other woody plants.

Piling mulch in these areas can trap excess moisture against the bark and root crown, especially for rhubarb. This can lead to fungal infections and eventual decay.

Experts at Gardener's World emphasise that garden beds should be mulched evenly, with a clearance zone around stems and trunks to promote proper air circulation.

In spring, avoid mulching around plants that prefer dry, rocky conditions, such as lavender, rosemary, and sage, as well as sedums and herbaceous evergreens like heucheras and hellebores.

The RHS suggests that single trees and specimen shrubs are best mulched to the radius of the canopy.

A biodegradable mulch will feed your plants and microorganisms in the soil as it decomposes, reducing the need for additional soluble feed.

How to mulch plants

Roses

1. Feed your rose before mulching, and water the surrounding soil, which should be clear of old leaves and weeds.
2. Apply a one to two-inch layer of your chosen mulch around the base of the rose, spreading it to the width of the rose canopy.
3. David Austin Roses recommends using soil improver as your mulch material.

Tomatoes

The RHS suggests laying a thick layer of mulch over the soil around tomato plants but leaving a gap around the base of the stem to prevent rotting.

Hydrangeas

Apply a layer of organic matter, such as leaf mould or compost, around the base of the plant, leaving a small gap around the stems. This helps retain moisture and control weeds, especially in spring when the plant is actively growing.