What to do with old mulch in a future flower garden?

2 years ago

Hi all! I am an extremely amateur gardener. We recently moved into a home after renting for several years and I finally have space for a cut flower garden. There is currently a bare, mulched (I guess considered "organic" mulch? Not rubber, etc.) area in the front yard where I'd like to put the garden. This location looks like it was somewhat maintained but nothing really growing there when we moved in early September. I don't know how old the mulch is or what else that area was used for. Upon digging, I found out there is actually also some landscape material under the mulch.

I am assuming I want to remove all of this before starting my flowers from seed, but I am seeing mixed advice online for what to do with the mulch that is there. Some sources say it's fine to leave and "mix in" to the soil. Other things say if there were any diseased plants nearby it could spread disease to whatever is planted there and it'll all fail. There's also a zillion acorns mixed into the mulch.

So if I am planning to work compost into the soil and start from seed - would it be wise to remove all mulch and landscaping fabric and dispose of it? OR do I "mix in" the old mulch and plant seeds into it? OR should I remove the mulch and repurpose it somewhere else in the yard?

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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

2 years ago

The mulch is no problem but the fabric is. You’re going to have to rake the mulch away and pull up the fabric. Then you can incorporate the mulch in the new bed. Dump the fabric.

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Comments (10)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
Was going to say the exact same thing as floral: get rid of the landscape fabric but absolutely NO reason to remove any existing mulch!! Just work it into the soil as you prepare the bed.
Kate D. thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
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Unless it is an exceptionally large amount so that it would end up being the majority of the planting medium, I'd just mix it in - assuming it doesn't jam the tiller. ;) You will have to provide a supplemental source of nitrogen to the bed for the plants as when it is mixed in the soil, it can bind up the existing soil nitrogen as it decomposes. As an alternative and if convenient, rake it into a pile all to one side or end and let it decompose in place. It can then be added to the soil with no problems. Its a good soil amendment once it breaks down. 3rd choice is to rake it aside and then use it as a mulch for garden paths if you'll have any. Dave
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I have previously not thoroughly mulched my garden because of the large slug population (meaning lots of large slugs) in my area, but try different methods each year. (There's already a LOT of iron in my soil, so I go sparingly with the iron phosphate- plants can get too much iron!)So I have tried the various "in between" methods you have mentioned and my parents alway put their mulch in the paths, not directly around the plants. They grow amazing veggies... mine are fine, but theirs are amazing! Mulch is good. Sometimes it brings pest problems if certain other things are happening too. :) And some mulching materials are better than others for different areas, as others have said! So, if you were to ask "how much of which mulch should I use?" I think the answer would be "what are you going to grow there, what are prevailing weather conditions in your area like, and what do you want the mulch to do for your garden?" Don't you just love a question that is answered with a question?? But then once you answer those questions, you can probably get concrete answers (although you will still find many diverse opinions! :) ) Cheers! Sunni
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HARVEST PAST MULCH LAYERS BEFORE APPLYING NEW!! Any gardener continually mulching over last 5 or 10 years, will know correct answer to this posted question. As long as they are interested citizen scientists, who actually observe how things develop with Mulch over time. Fact is, decomposing Mulch actually turns into rich soil. And goal of mulching, is to improve condition of original soil levels. top "O" horizon. Otherwise rather than Mulching, gardeners could just put down new layers of rich soil instead every spring. Gardeners need to be aware of most important horticultural rule, which states "Never raise existing grade" over trees original root systems underneath. Otherwise suffocated feeder roots growing just under soil line, produce new adventitious roots extending upward to get above obstruction. Like drowning swimmers, adventitious roots become disorientated, and grow in all directions. Including back toward tree, becoming SGR's or stem girdling roots. Along with causing soil to become compacted over time from confused networks of knitted crossing roots. Which can result in tripping roots growing above smothered ground.
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callirhoe123
2 years ago
Me, too. Ditch the fabric and work the mulch into the soil.
Kate D. thanked callirhoe123
rifis (zone 6b-7a NJ)
2 years ago
“Get rid of the landscape fabric”, they said, while sipping martinis on the patio, under the swaying palm trees.

It’s possible that will not be difficult.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
No palm trees or Martinis on my allotment where I removed fabric with fruit bushes established in it. Yes, it’s hard, but it is worth it. It looks as if the OPs fabric is only covered in loose mulch, not ten years worth of soil and roots.
HighColdDesert
2 years ago
I'm also of the opinion that the natural mulch material is good stuff and should be kept in place as much as possible, but that weed fabric should be removed if possible.
armoured
2 years ago
I am in favour of all landscape fabric being removed.

Just so long as Someone Else is doing it.
HU-162146441
2 years ago
No way to know if the compost has been sitting there long enough to be turned into the soil wiithout robbing the soil of Nitrogen.

If its pine bark it might be many years. Woodchips, ( in my climate) at least 3-4 years. It’s bound to be still good as mulch.You can top it with new mulch for appearances sake.

Controversial advice around here, but for a brand new place you don’t have the history of, it might be wise to get a soil test from Land Grant U. Underneath the mulch.. You don’t have to use your own state’s U. I used Umass.

Maybe $35. It’s a good bet you’ll save at least half that much in the ferts you don’t have to buy.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
Compost does not "rob" the soil of nitrogen! And incorporating a wood based mulch into the soil will have minimal effect in this regard as well and can easily be offset by adding a source of N, like alfalfa or cottonseed meal or blood meal.

If you have concerns about this, you will likely need to rake the mulch off to get to the landscape fabric anyway. Just save for reuse after planting.
toxcrusadr
2 years ago
That's what I was thinking, just set it aside, and reuse as mulch. If you want prettier mulch, just put something you like on top to cover it up. Or use it somewhere else in the yard.

That's what I would do.

What to do with old mulch in a future flower garden?

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

Comments (10)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

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