When to Re-Mulch Garden Beds
Most mulch will decompose over time , break down to enrich the soil . The rate of decomposition reaction depend on the mulch material , clime , and soil microbiology . On average , expect to re - mulch beds every 1 - 3 years .
polarity it ’s time for new mulch include :
Aim to re - mulch beds before the mulch bed gets less than 2 inches deep . Replenishing mulch per year or biannually ensures your beds always look their best .
Mulch Depth for Re-Mulching Beds
When add Modern mulch , resist the urge to pile it on thick . Too much mulch can be prejudicious . target for a mulch layer 2 - 3 inch recondite . Anything over 3 inches can inhibit water and air from hit plant life ascendent . Thick mulch also promote tunneling rodents . Stick to a maximum depth of 3 column inch when re - mulching bed .
How to Re-Mulch Garden Beds
Remove Weeds
Before apply fresh mulch , be sure to pull any weeds from the beds . Weed removal ensures weeds do n’t reseed under the new mulch Go through beds meticulously and uproot each locoweed
Rake Old Mulch
Next , utilise a stalwart alloy roue or garden weasel to fluff up the older mulch layer . break away up any matte clump and evenly redistribute mulch over the bed . rake helps rejuvenate mulch and fuse in any partially decompose layers with fresher mulch underneath .
Freshen Edges
Also , be trusted to tidy up the bed edges . Define a clean border between soil and lawn with your blood or a half - moon edger . This gives beds a tasteful , ruined smell .
Top Up Thin Areas
append a thin layer of novel mulch to any thinly mulch spots , just enough to brood unornamented filth . This level will get covered when the entire seam is mulch .
Apply New Mulch
Now distribute fresh mulch evenly across beds , working it into the exist mulch with your profligate . tot approximately 1 - 2 column inch over the entire layer . Take care not to overdo mulch astuteness . take for an overall depth of 2 - 3 inches .
Mulch Around Plants
Remember to spread mulch near base of trees and shrubs , go forth a gap of a few column inch next to trunks and stems . Also lightly mulch over the root zones of perennials without surround the peak . Mulch up to the edge of one-year beds .
Water Mulch
After spreading fresh mulch , soundly irrigate the beds . This helps the mulch adhere and start to stop down . The garden is now refreshed and ready to thrive !
Mulch Materials for Re-Mulching Beds
There are many mulch alternative when it ’s time to re - mulch garden beds , including :
Wood Chips : sliced hardwood is a classic mulching material . It breaks down reasonably fast to enrich soil . right for all - intent use .
Pine Bark Nuggets : Long - lasting flabby pine barque resist compaction . cater a decorative look . considerably for accent mark like pathways .
Shredded Bark : Fast - decompose mulch made from sliced bark . add organic matter to grime while suppressing weed . adept for veggie gardens .
Cedar Mulch : Aromatic , louse - repelling cedar mulch rot tardily . utilize around ornamental and bush beds .
Cypress Mulch : Lightweight cypress mulch is slow to check down . salutary for pathways and act as surface area . Has a all right , feathery texture .
Pine Straw : Use unchopped pine needles as a mulch in naturalistic garden . Pine stubble balk mat and weeds while allowing air and moisture period .
Leaf Mulch : Mulch made from recycled farewell or leaf mold is free and terra firma - friendly . It sustain the grease as it moulder . May bluster aside until fully broken down .
Grass Clippings : Another pronto available option . Allow fresh clippings to dry before mulching to foreclose matting and putrefaction . Do n’t employ clippings from lawns treated with weed killer .
Compost Mulch : Screened compost or compost manure provides constituent topic along with nutrients . An excellent land conditioner .
Peat Moss : While not a sustainable choice , peat moss declare oneself moisture retentiveness and a filth - like appearance . It ’s lightweight and obtuse to break down .
Rubber Mulch : Recycled India rubber mulch is a long-lived , non - toxic choice for play areas . It ’s long - lasting but does n’t improve soil . Can get quite hot .
Consider the benefit of each mulch eccentric and select one appropriate for each employment sheath and fix . A compounding of mulch can furnish different aesthetics , textures , and feature throughout the landscape .
Mulching Tools
A few essential prick make re - mulching bed a breeze :
Flat Shovel – expend a flat power shovel to scoop and pass around mulch . Get one with a pointed lead for preciseness piece of work edge seam .
Metal Rake – A bow rake with fuddled tine is ideal for scan even mulch layers and removing weeds .
Garden Fork – Use a spade crotch to break up snarl mulch and incorporate decomposed layer into soil .
Half - Moon Edger – This manual tool cleanly delineate bed edges with a semi - rotary blade .
Garden Weasel – The rotate tines of this cultivator premix and freshen mulch while aerate soil .
garden cart – Transport bagged mulch or move mulch piles with a inflexible lawn cart .
Gloves – break baseball mitt to protect hands from blister and splinters when working with mulch .
Investing in caliber tools draw maintaining your mulched beds almost effortless . Choose creature sized for your habitus and the scale of your garden .
Mulching Tips and Tricks
Mulch flower bed , shrub bed , walking paths , gambling areas , and vegetable garden . prioritise bed with valuable planting first .
For Tree , aim to mulch an area 2 - 3 time the canopy width . mulch the whole root zone improves health .
Do n’t pile mulch against tree body and halt . Leave a pilot zone to keep disease and radioactive decay .
rough mulch like wood chips are honorable for shrub and tree areas while o.k. shredded mulches look dependable in flower seam .
Mulch veggie gardens lightly , only 1 - 2 inch deep . Excess mulch Stephen Collins Foster sluggard and too cool land .
Mulch after spring rains subside so beds do n’t become waterlogged beneath mulch .
Mulch annually or biannually for optimal weed suppression and wet retentiveness .
Mulch color fades over time . Replenish regularly to sustain a impudent decorative expression .
Organic mulch enrich grime as they break up . exchange portion of old mulch each year to sustain this benefit .
Proper mulching proficiency keep your landscape painting good for you , beautiful and lush all yr long . Do n’t let stark , lackluster beds bring down your garden ’s appeal . Make re - mulch a regular routine and your bed will thrive time of year after time of year .
When to Hire a Professional Mulcher
While DIY mulching is n’t complicated , some situations call for bringing in a professional :
Large Landscapes – It can be worthwhile to hire mulching pro to tackle very large garden . This write fourth dimension and labor .
Hardscape Installs – new installed patios , wall , walkways , etc . often require extensive mulching . Pros make quick piece of work of this .
Tree Care – Professional arborists know the proper mulching techniques for tree and will have equipment to easily mulch full root zone .
Play Areas – Playground Saratoga chip require skilled initiation to secure proper astuteness for safety . Rubber mulch is great and often installed by pro .
Annual Care – Some householder engage landscapers to mulch their bed as part of annual maintenance . This ensures it ’s done right on a routine basis .
Efficiency – Pros will mulch beds thoroughly and expeditiously . They have tools and hand truck to make the process quicker and well-off .
Design – landscape painting designers like an expert choose mulches to align with the garden design . Professionals roll in the hay which mulch works best esthetically in each area .
If your mulching labor feel overwhelming or you want the study in technical hand , hiring a professional may be money well spent . Get quotation from extremely rated local landscape gardener to compare pricing .
Maintaining a Fresh Mulch Landscape
unconstipated mulch upkeep keep on your landscape painting looking its best :
Replenish mulch in high - dealings areas as needed . Paths and roleplay space compact and erode mulch quicker . Spot mulch worn musca volitans .
Lightly rake mulch routinely to prevent mat , especially in damp climates . Fluff mulch monthly .
Weed regularly . Pull green goddess when belittled before they scatter . Mulch discourages most weeds but vigilant weeding is still required .
Top clothes beds with an extra 1⁄2 - 1 inch of fresh mulch midway through the time of year . This boost refreshes mulch that becomes compressed .
Edge along beds once a twelvemonth with a half - moonlight edger . Neaten the border between mulch and lawn .
Adjust the astuteness , never exceed 3 inches . glance over thin spots deeper and remove excess mulch if too thickheaded .
Water occasionally to boost breakdown of constitutive mulch . Dry mulch take longer to improve the dirt .
With attentive maintenance , your mulched beds will stay full-strength , weed - free and healthy twelvemonth - round . Replenish mulch before it thinning or pack together to reap the many benefits of a quality mulch line .
Frequently Asked Mulching Questions
Some vulgar mulching FAQs include :
Is it better to mulch in spring or fall?
The idealistic time to mulch is outpouring , once soil has warm and spring rains have stop . Fall is another option , permit mulch nourish beds over wintertime . deflect mulch in summer when bed are dry .
How often should mulch be replaced?
Plan to re - mulch annually or biannually . The rate depends on mulch decomposition , which varies by climate and material . Refreshed mulch should last 1 - 3 years typically .
Can too much mulch be harmful?
Excess mulch deprives roots of air travel and water . It also invite pests like gnawer and insects . Stick to a 2 - 3 inch mulch layer . Over 3 in is normally detrimental .
Is mulching necessary for all beds?
While not mandatory , mulching improves most planted bed significantly by cool off soil , block weeds , and replenishing constitutional topic . Prioritize mulching around worthful plantings .
Should mulch touch tree trunks and stems?
No . twist mulch a few inch aside from woody plant stems and luggage compartment to prevent rot . The bare area allows line circulation .
How do I calculate how much mulch I need?
evaluate your bed in solid footage ( length x width ) . Convert square footage to cubic pace of mulch needed by multiplying by deepness in fundament divided by 27 . For example , a 10 x 15 ft bed with 3 inch ( 0.25 ft ) mulch needs close to 3 cubic yards ( 10 x 15 x 0.25 / 27 = 1.4 cubic yard ) . Order a bit extra .
What’s the cheapest mulch?
Often the most affordable and eco - friendly choice are on - site leaf mulch , chipped branch , or local recycled wood mulch . forfend dye mulches which are more expensive .
