just finished spring mulching. about 6 to 8 inches. it gets terribly hot in northern ca. and this is the best way to keep the ground cool and moist. I caught up with some local tree trimming crews this winter and asked them to dump several loads of chips in my field, they were glad to put them here as it saved them a long drive. cold mornings it looks like a volcano smoking when they are in a pile. I have been using chips for several years and all my bamboo are happy. during the summer I add lawn clippings and leaves and some manure but still have to fertilize because when all this organic stuff decomposes it uses up most of the nitrogen, but it creates awsome soil