RE: planting a garden - a question
Rototilling between rows won't disturb many roots unless the plant has a very wide root system , most people just do it to save weeding time . Very often it can do more harm than good , especially if the weeds propagate via rhizomes . Stick with thick mulch , it's cheap and it works . The method that you're currently using is probably a variation of Ruth Stout's Deep Mulch method and works very well , just keep the mulch at least 8" deep at all times .