best: cool roots, sun on the vine. In August, I refresh mulch if it has thinned out to less than 2 inches. A layer 2 to 3 inches deep of shredded bark, compost, leaf mold, or clean straw helps hold moisture, buffers temperature swings, and keeps weeds from stealing water.
Keep the mulch about 2 inches back from the stems so you do not trap moisture directly against the crown. I learned that lesson after losing a young plant in a soggy year. If you do not like a bare
