Pay the fee. As of 2013, a FAST card application cost $50, which you can pay online when you are filling out the application.
A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of an area of soil. Its purpose is any or all of the following: to conserve moisture. to improve the fertility and health of the soil. to reduce weed growth.
Common mulch items are pine straw, wheat straw, lawn clippings, newspaper mulch, and chopped up leaves. It's easy to make my own mulch if you have the materials available. It is especially helpful to organic matter in the soil when applied in the fall.