Should I removed my old mulch first before adding new mulch?

Denise Battiste
by Denise Battiste
  5 answers
  • Peggy L Burnette Peggy L Burnette on Nov 10, 2018
    Hi Denise, during the winter months the old much seems to deteriorate. so we just put the new mulch on top of it. Good luck
  • AmAtHome AmAtHome on Nov 10, 2018

    You don't have to, but do make sure you don't get too deep of a layer of mulch. You also want to "stir and fluff" the old mulch before putting the new mulch on top.

  • DesertRose DesertRose on Nov 10, 2018

    It is not necessary. Add your new mulch on top. The old mulch is good for the soil as it breaks down under neath and will add to your soil nutrients. Sometimes old mulch attracts bugs, termites etc, but if you use cypress or cedar chips, it won't attract the bugs/termites.

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 10, 2018

    For an annual bed, remove old mulch before you till the soil and add compost. If you're applying mulch to a perennial bed, you might be tempted to just add anew layer of mulch on top, but this can cause rot, nutrient starvation, and plant death. Remove as much of the old layers as possible before you add more.

  • William William on Nov 10, 2018

    I just add mulch to existing mulch as needed.