Cold protection is only one reason to mulch. Mulch has numerous benefits that can be appreciated at any time, especially in areas that offer gardening opportunities pretty much year round, such as in your climate. Other reasons are as follows:

1) Conserves soil moisture. May not be as much of an issue in winter with increased rainfall, but is pretty much a universal concern during summer anywhere in this country.

2) Mulch suppresses weeds.

3) Organic mulches add to soil fertility over time as they decompose and encourages populations of beneficial soil organisms.

4) Similarly, organic mulches will lead to improved soil texture and drainage.

5) Can reduce the impact and spread of diseases, primarily fungal problems that can occur when spores on the ground are splashed back onto plants during irrigation or from rainfall.

6) Protects soils from erosion.

7) Moderates soil temperatures - serves to insulate soils from winter cold and also from summer heat.

8) Improves the appearance of the garden - nothing makes a garden look well-groomed and tidy faster than a nice layer of fresh mulch. In fact, mulching is one of the primary (and least expensive) activities suggested to improve your garden's appearance when putting your house on the market for sale.

In warmer climates like ours, the timing of applying mulch is not so critical as it is just doing it. Mulch is one of the best things you can do for your garden in terms of improving its health and appearance and lowering maintenance.

ok thanks. I add compost every spring and fall, and usually mulch in spring and fall as well, so my soil is pretty good at this point.

gardengal named several good reasons for mulching but I think you knew that and wondered about mulching when tulips were already breaking ground. I would not mulch now but wait until tulips are through blooming and you take them out or if you save your bulbs wait until they die back naturally, probably about April. Al

You're correct Al, that was my question. Waiting is fine with me...less work and by spring the mulch (I use bark) is all but broken down from the winter rain anyway, and requires another app.