What is the proper method of mulching?

What is the proper method of mulching?

With mulch you want to usually add about two inches. We are a society of over-mulches'. It's the suburban curse. With every spring, people feel that they must go out and purchase mulch and re-mulch the beds. We are using the mulch to help moderate the temperature, retain moisture and prevent weeds. We don't need to apply mulch every single year to areas, particularly because that may just have a few shrubs in the bed. What we're finding is that we're actually over-mulching many plants that are shallow rooted, such as the azaleas, rhododendron and acid loving plants.