How Often Should You Re-Mulch?

You probably already know that mulch is an important part of landscape maintenance. It helps soil and plant roots to stay cool in hot weather, retains moisture for your plants, and can even help to suppress weeds. But do you know how often you need to re-mulch your garden beds? The answer depends on various factors. Read on to figure out when and why you need to refresh the mulch in your outdoor space.

How Often Should You Replace Mulch?

There's no set time interval for when you need to replace or top up your mulch. It depends on various factors, including the type of mulch used, the purpose, and the weather conditions.

In Florida, you can expect to replace mulch in flower beds at least once a year. That's because frequent watering can lead to quick decomposition. In other situations, such as around trees and shrubs, a layer of mulch can last longer: up to two years.

Gardeners should check mulch layers regularly for signs of wear. If you notice any of the following, it's time to re-mulch:

• Mulch colors have faded, or your mulch looks brittle or gray
• Your layer of mulch has decomposed and reduced. A layer of mulch should be two inches thick on flower beds and three inches around trees or shrubs.
• You start to see weed growth peeping through
• Your mulch starts to smell bad - this could be a sign of mold or disease, which will cause problems for soil conditions and plant health

It can be a good idea to inspect beneath mulch too, to check soil health. Mulch is no longer doing its job properly if soil looks dry after watering, or if you notice pests or diseases underneath.

Occasionally, mulch can be washed away by flooding or stormy weather. If this happens, part of your clean-up may need to involve replacing mulch.

Finally, replacing old mulch can be a quick and easy way to improve curb appeal and help your landscape beds look fresh and neat. Adding fresh mulch can lead to improved moisture retention, reduced sun exposure for soil and plants, better weed suppression and an improvement in soil health and plant health.

What Time of Year is Best for Mulching?

In many climates, there are windows for replacing mulch during spring and fall. However, in hot climates like Florida, spring is the ideal time of year for refreshing garden mulch.

Mulch keeps soil cool as temperatures rise. As the weather gets hotter, it's even more important to retain soil moisture. Weed growth can be particularly aggressive during spring, so it's a great time to take action to prevent that too. Adding a fresh layer of mulch gets your landscape ready for the very hot summer temperatures that you know are on the way.

In cooler climates, fall can be a good time to mulch too. When the weather is cold, 2-3 inches of mulch can play a vital role in keeping plants warm and therefore healthy.

Choosing a Mulch Type

There are several steps you can take to maximize the lifespan of your mulch and get the most out of it. It begins with selecting the right type of mulch.

Natural mulches such as wood chips or pine bark will eventually decompose, adding beneficial nutrients to the soil beneath. Inorganic mulches last longer and are more hardy, but do not provide organic matter for your soil and, unlike natural materials, do not support healthy microorganisms in the soil.

If you go for organic mulch, there are still various types available. What's best will depend on your landscape conditions, but in general wood chips last longer than shredded mulch.

How to Replace Mulch

Before spreading a nice fresh layer of mulch, take care to prepare your landscape bed.

If you have an old layer of mulch in place, turn and loosen this to prevent compaction. Organic mulch does not need to be removed, unless it is still 2-3 inches thick. In that case you will need to remove some, as a mulch layer more than three inches deep can have negative impacts.

There may be some areas of matted mulch from previous applications. If so, break these apart or remove them. Check for a bad smell or other signs of mold or disease, and get rid of any affected material.

Next, remove any weeds and trim overhanging trees or shrubs to reduce the likelihood of debris falling onto the mulch beds. Clear away dead leaves or any other material, and break up any areas of compacted soil.

We do not recommend the use of landscape fabric underneath mulch. Mulch application is in itself a great way to prevent weed growth. If you want, you could apply a natural weed killer or add a layer of organic material such as newspaper or cardboard; this will slowly decompose along with the mulch.

As you apply your fresh layer of mulch, be sure to maintain the correct thickness. This should be no more than two inches on flower beds and three inches around trees or shrubs. Be careful to avoid 'mulch volcanoes' or heaps of mulch around the base of plants. These can trap too much moisture and result in fungus or rot.

Maintaining Mulch

You should check on your mulch beds every month or so to make sure all is well. Loosen the mulch, which will prevent compaction and make it harder for mold or fungi to grow. Be sure to remove weeds as they appear so they can't start to take over the area.

Should You Remove Old Mulch?

In general, if you are using organic mulch, there is no need to remove it when you refresh the mulch in your yard. Natural mulch will slowly break down and add nutrients and organic matter to the soil, so it just needs to be topped up.

If you find that mulch is compacted into a mat, fluff it up with a rake or a cultivator. It only needs to be removed if it has developed mold or fungus.

DIY or Professional Mulch Installation Services?

If you are comfortable adding or refreshing mulch yourself, you can take care of it DIY-style.

However, you may have questions about the best type of mulch for your landscape. Perhaps you're not sure how much mulch you need to purchase, or don't know exactly how much to apply to maximize the benefits without harming your plants. Maybe you would simply prefer someone else to take on the hard physical work so you can relax and enjoy your beautiful landscape.

If so, a landscaping company like LawnMore Gainesville can help! Get in touch with our experts today if a friendly, professional mulch installation service is what you need.

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