Mulching is an important step to any size garden. It helps keep the soil moist, and in the hottest part of the season, it also helps keep the soil cool. This reduces stress on the herbs and also helps with water conservation.

If you are lucky enough to be setting out herb plants now, do not mulch until the soil has had a chance to warm up. You will be holding the cold in with a blanket of mulch, just when the spring sun can warm up the soil and stimulate the herb's growth.So, if you have herbs peeking through last year's mulch, feel free to pull the mulch back for a couple of weeks to allow the sun's warmth to help things along. Mulch is a great thing. Just do not put it on too soon.