Should Aged Mulch Be Removed?
Mulching your yard in the spring is one of the most significant activities related to maintaining your yard that you will have to accomplish. People ask one another all the time whether or not they should take the old mulch away before putting down the new mulch. Surprisingly, the majority of gardeners will answer with an emphatic “no!” when asked this question.
Should you, therefore, remove old mulch?
The vast majority of specialists agree that it is not required to get rid of the compost from the previous year. The soil is provided with essential nutrients and other forms of organic matter due to the gradual decomposition of the mulch. Consequently, clearing the accumulated waste once a year will require more time and money.
At the beginning of spring, you must determine how much debris remains from the previous year. This helps determine how much you must purchase. A layer of compost should ideally be approximately 2 inches deep in flowerbeds and 3 inches deep in shrub beds and around trees. You don’t need to buy more mulch if you already have it in your yard. Nonetheless, if you discover that you are down to about an inch of old mulch, apply an additional inch of new mulch to maintain optimal levels.
Occasionally, debris will clump and begin to adhere, mainly pulverized hardwood. A compost mat will prevent moisture and sunlight from nourishing plant roots. To prevent this from occurring, removal is not the solution. Instead, use a sieve or cultivator to spread the mulch and place more mulch on top. If, however, the mulch has begun to develop a fungus or mold, treat it with a fungicide or eliminate it, depending on the extent of the damage.
For more information about our mulching services, please contact us at this number (804) 430-3112 or make an appointment with Amigos Landscaping SPC LLC in the Richmond, VA region.