….Because 1) it means you are watering during a drought and 2) wet mulch stays put when leaves are being cleaned out of your beds with a leaf blower.  If you have irrigation keep it on through October.  If you do not have an irrigation system it would be wise to get the sprinkler in your beds and water before chores.  This will help save money due to lost mulch, and it will make your plants happy going into a potentially dry winter again!  Remember the evergreens breathe all winter and the extra water in the mulch will help when a January thaw releases a little drink of water into the warm soil area that is always seen around evergreens and trees.