Mulch, Too Mulch!

There is an ongoing debate over how much mulch is too much or too little. At what point is mulch counterproductive? Some say 1-2 inches, while others declare 4 inches is a must. We believe somewhere in the middle is the best way to go. Too little mulch will not do anything to discourage weed growth. Alternately, too much blocks adequate water and oxygen exchange at the root of the plants forcing them to grow into the mulch as opposed to down in the soil where the nutrients are. A good 3 inch layer of mulch will provide the protection the soil and plants need to thrive without inhibiting their natural growth.