Good tips, my friends swear by extensive mulching, and I think it just plain makes sense. I spread leaves like a friend of mine does all over my garden before it snowed, so it will be nice and mulchy in the spring. I was wondering, are pine needles really ok? I thought they could be too acidic. Also, watch out for walnut leaves and maybe oak too, walnut is poisonous for lots of plants. I learnt that from my grandma :P