I also mulch heavily. My mulch is free since I collect leaves in the fall, store over the winter and spread in the spring once daylily leaves are big enough to hold them in place. Also, a few years ago, I edged all my beds with plastic edging sunk in the ground. That keeps creepers and grass from moving into my beds. Certainly a work/time saver. I find my mulch does not really help with water retention but certainly keeps weeds down. Of course, I do a big weeding before laying the mulch.
