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[tonitime AT juno.com]

I have found this to be true in my beds as well, Bev.  Yes, there is
always alot that barely starts to decompose atop by the return of the
cold weather .  I either toss some soil atop it after the crops are gone
(really decomposes then, by late spring) OR put it into the compost heaps
( where it has a head-start then to finish breaking down for spring).  If
some lingers into another year or season - no big deal there. One gal
cannot ever "finish" a garden like we have - always things undone
unintentionally!!
Some things that especially do well in hotter soil, i use black plastic
mulch for.  These beds are usually about 4 out of 40 growing areas. 
While i do not like to use ag plastic, it has made things such as melons,
some peppers, and okra do fantastically better here.........and for just
one season we get weed reprieve in those few spots!
Toni

> Mulching is essentially composting in place, at least in my beds.  
> That
> process produces heat, which warms things.  I suppose mulching is
> different for everyone, but here in the South, it warms the beds in
> early Spring, holds in moisture in the heat and drought of summer, 
> keeps
> the underlying soil soft for root development and earthworms, and 
> of
> course, degrades and puts nutrients back into the earth.  Two sides 
> to
> every coin..
> 
> Bev