Leaving ground bare exposes soil to all the elements. Direct sun is harmful to most of the beneficial bugs, bacteria and fungi needed for a healthy soil. Soil biology also requires adequate water, and drying winds will quickly strip any moisture away from the soil surface.

Rain drop impact, during storms or heavy hand watering can break down soil structure and leads to surface crusting and poor water infiltration. A further issue with bare soil is it often promotes the germination and growth of weeds.

In simple terms, any mulch is better than no mulch. I have a preference for using chopped pea straw or lucerne, as they have a good balance of carbon and nitrogen, break down readily, and tend to absorb rather than repel water. Mushroom compost, sugar cane, wood chips, shredded paper, straw, dried grass clippings and leaves, even old carpet, are just some of the other potential mulches you could use, each with their own pros and cons. As a general rule of thumb, the more easily a mulch breaks down, the better it is for your soil.

The depth you apply mulch depends on what you're using and the situation, anywhere from one to 10cm. The main thing is to cover 100 per cent of the soil surface; apply more if you're trying to suppress weeds or using a coarser medium like straw. When using mulch, try not to incorporate it into your soil; its best left as a layer sitting over your soil. Fine mulch, high in carbon, such as sawdust, can cause nitrogen drawdown when incorporated, and bacteria will compete with your plants for nutrients as they attempt to break it down.

Seeds I'm sowing at the moment include basil, beetroot, carrot, cucumber, corn, mixed lettuce, radish, squash, spring onion. Summer berries are starting to produce with strawberries, raspberry and loganberries on the harvest menu, along with beetroot, carrots, celery, coriander, garlic, mixed lettuce, spinach and a range of herbs.

Happy holidays to all and enjoy your sowing and growing.