Mulching

Mulching is a summer task much more honored in the breach than in the observance. It is always beneficial, and when there is a long period with little or no rain it is the alternative of tedious watering. Sometimes water is so scarce that mulching is the gardner's only solution.
Either dry soil or lawn clippings and other vegetable matter may be used as a mulch. The dry soil is simply the surface of the ground kept loose by frequent cultivation a good thing in summer even when the season is normal. Lawn clippings are an excellent mulch, but they must be spread very lightly as otherwise they heat. Or a thin layer of wet clippings with a litle dry soil on top may be used. Tall weeds if there are no ripe seeds on them flower stalks and discarded bouquets make good mulch when run through a hay chopper.
Then there is leaf mold, but that is rarely at hand.