Think about straw mulch the way you're supposed to think of stock funds: Apply the money wisely, then leave it alone.

Cool-weather crops like lettuce and peas should be mulched early. The insulating layer of straw will keep the soil around their roots nicely chilly.

Hot-weather crops like tomatoes and peppers, on the other hand, don't like cold feet. They should not be mulched (or ideally, even planted) until the soil is thoroughly warmed.

Arrange straw around tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and okra after the soil is well warmed but before it's hot.

Once the mulch is in place, close to but not touching the plants, don't mess with it unless you see rotting stems, moldy leaves or an invasion of slugs.