Do most people mulch their landscape beds in Spring or Autumn and why?

ranger gave you the proper pruning directions and why. i'd like to share the mulch issue with you. when i was younger, prior to disability, i found that regular mulch was not only costly but repetitive annually due to decomposition. i then turned to small decorative rocks. little did i realize that they built up heat from the day and evaporated the water so the plants weren't getting their due. a few years back, while relandscaping the area i discovered the rubber mulch. it is sold at both lowes, home depot, and probably menards. it is made from recycled ties, comes in variety of colorations(holds the color well), and totally suites the bill. neeeds replentishing only if your're expanding the beds. no maintenance annually or otherwise. always neat and tidy. several landscapers bring people by yearly to show how well it looks. hope this suggestion helps.