I can't think of any cons against mulching - it is arguably the best thing you can do for your garden. Aesthetics tend to be low on the list for reasons to mulch but it is typically included :-) And I agree with Mike completely on dyed mulches!! Who ever thought that idea up was obviously not a gardener - mulches should compliment a garden, not distract or even take center stage. Personally, I think 4" is on the high end for an appropriate thickness - I usually instruct my clients on anywhere between 2-4".

10 Reasons to mulch:

1. Weed control. You’ll still get a few weeds that
you can pull when you go by, but NOTHING compared to what you get when
there is no mulch. Bare ground without mulch is just an open invitation for weed growth.

2. Protection from the elements. Rain will compact bare soil. Sun then bakes it. The result is not the best environment for plants.

3. Prevents erosion. Fall and winter rains will wash away any exposed soil....mulch prevents this.

4. Improves the soil. As mulch breaks down it improves the soil texture and fertility by adding organic matter. (This is how easy it is to improve soil!)

5. Helps maintain moisture in dry weather by slowing soil evaporation.

6. Can keep warmth in the soil over winter. Mulched
beds won’t freeze as readily as unmulched beds.

7. Keeps the soil cooler in summer heat. Mulch moderates soil temps year round and prevents hot summer sun from baking shallow rooted plants.

8. Can eliminates a lot of yard waste. Most debris from
your flower borders or veggie garden does not have to be removed (unless diseased). Fallen leaves and grass clippings make an excellent mulch. And if you have access to a chipper any pruning or tree branch removal can be chipped up to make mulch.

9. Looks nicer.

10. Saves time. The other nine reasons all add up to
the 10th reason which I think is the biggest and best reason of all to
use mulch. It saves you tons of time on garden chores you will never
have to do!

I thought mulch increased the slug problem. Is this not true?

Bark mulches reduce the slug problem. They don't like it.

Slugs are not a big problem for me because if a slug eats it, I don't grow it.

I can't think of a plant I have to have that slugs consider it a main meal.

Mike

Wow I have to grow up my seedlings to quite a size before I plant them out - the slugs will strip anything small that's not evergreen down to stems. They wiped out a variety of perennial starts last year, and they make Swiss cheese of my broccoli leaves. Luckily the broccoli keeps chugging on. I get the feeling my plans for salad greens this year are going to make the slugs really happy. I should buy stock in Sluggo

Good to know about the bark mulch, I'll be picking some up. The slugs just loved the fall leaves and the straw that I tried before. I'll get the hang of this climate eventually...

I do protect seedlings from slugs by using bait.

I also don't do much in the way of veggie gardening anymore. Just can't seem to find the time for it anymore.

Mike