> I
> grow vegetables from the way many others do it is that I mulch
> extensively: my entire garden is
> under mulch - there is nothing growing in bare soil.  This is pretty
> much the paleo way.

Agreed. I "mulch garden" as well. My motto is add mulch until you think
you've got enough, and then add some more :) Who wants to spend all their
time hoeing and weeding, anyway?

One thing I've noticed is that a lot of plants start more slowly in mulch
because they are building massive root systems. Then, they grow like crazy.
I keep overloading my planting beds because I underestimate how big stuff
will grow. Last year I tried some new tomato cages - they collapsed under
the weight of the plants.

What materials do you use as mulch? I'm pretty much stuck with straw and
leaves. I don't bag grass when I mow, so that's not available (although
some of my neighbors And a little compost when it's "ready". Plus,
cardboard/newspaper for weed barrier.