What to Do With Old Mulch When Adding a New Layer

Mulch is a great addition to your landscape beds in North Carolina, as it enhances their aesthetic appeal and provides several health benefits to your plants. However, you may be wondering what to do with the old mulch when adding a new layer. Fortunately, it's not really necessary to remove the old mulch since it'll break down and decompose over time anyway. Still, you don't want to exceed a thickness of 3 inches, so you can remove some of the old layer to keep it at the right amount. That's where the pros come in - you can hire them to ensure it's done right and that your landscape beds have just the right amount of mulch!

It's Not Necessary to Remove Old Mulch Since It'll Break Down & Decompose Over Time

One of the simplest solutions is to leave the old mulch in place when adding a new layer. Mulch is designed to break down over time, enriching the soil with organic matter as it decomposes. This process enhances soil structure, improves fertility, and fosters a healthier environment for plants. By allowing the old mulch to decompose naturally, you’re essentially feeding the soil and supporting the ecosystem within your garden.

Keeping the old mulch also means less labor for you. Instead of removing and disposing of it, you can simply add a fresh layer on top. This not only saves time but also continually enriches the soil, contributing to a robust garden. Over time, the decomposition process will transform the old mulch into a nutrient-rich layer of soil, further benefiting your plants.

You Can Remove Some of the Old Mulch to Keep It at the Right Amount

While it’s beneficial to let mulch decompose, it’s also important not to exceed an appropriate thickness. Ideally, mulch should be kept at a depth of about 2 to 3 inches. If your existing mulch layer is already thick, adding more could result in issues like excessive moisture retention, which can lead to root rot and other plant diseases.

To maintain the right thickness, you might need to remove some of the old mulch before adding more. Carefully rake through the current layer and gauge its depth. If it’s thicker than 3 inches, remove a portion to keep it at the optimal level. This will balance the benefits of decomposition with the need to prevent over-mulching, ensuring your plants receive the right conditions to thrive.

Hire Professionals to Ensure the Mulch Installation Process Is Done Right

While you can handle the mulch installation process yourself, it's best to hire professionals to ensure it's done right. That way, you can rest easy knowing that your landscape beds have just the right amount of mulch. When you hire pros, they will know how to properly spread the mulch so that it's even and covers all areas to provide optimal results. Additionally, they will know how to maintain the correct thickness and ensure it doesn't pile up against the stems or trunks of your plants. Not only that, but they will also have the knowledge and expertise to determine when it's time to add a new layer of mulch so that your plants continue to reap its benefits.

Call us today to sign up for our mulch installation service!

At Carolina Turf Lawn and Landscape, we offer our mulch installation service to keep your landscape beds looking their best and provide your plants with numerous health benefits! Our team ensures the job is done right the first time by following a meticulous mulch installation process. You can also rely on us to spread the right amount of mulch to achieve the correct thickness.

We offer this service to commercial and residential properties, as well as HOAs, in Matthews, Weddington, Ballantyne, and throughout the surrounding areas in North Carolina. Call us today at (704) 649-0430 to sign up for our mulch installation service and say hello to beautiful, healthy landscape beds!