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How often do you pull up all your old mulch before laying new?

Posted on 3/27/26 at 8:03 am
Posted by OysterPoBoy
City of St. George
Member since Jul 2013
44234 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 8:03 am
The last couple of years it was getting thin and I just added in top. I think this year I may take it all up and start fresh.

Is there any problem leaving the old stuff besides mold growth?
Posted by PillageUrVillage
Mordor
Member since Mar 2011
15919 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 8:07 am to
I would only remove it if it’s creating a disease or pest problem. Otherwise it’ll just continue to break down and add to the soil.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
48202 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 8:16 am to
quote:

mold growth
mold is fungi. Fungi are what makes plant growth and soil health possible. Fungi is what you want. Leave the old mulch and add on top

Without fungi we would have no soil at all, in fact.
Posted by OysterPoBoy
City of St. George
Member since Jul 2013
44234 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 8:20 am to
Well hell. This is the best news I’ve gotten all year. Just saved a lot of work.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
48202 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 8:23 am to
it’s been dry. Soak your beds well before you mulch then soak again afterwards. That will prevent moisture loss and help lock your new mulch in place. Or, wait until after a good rain
Posted by TimeOutdoors
LA
Member since Sep 2014
13338 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 8:30 am to
quote:

Fungi are what makes plant growth and soil health possible.


This is what I wish more people would understand. I hate hearing people complain about mushrooms in their garden.

I always try to add mycorrhizae to the soil when I am transplanting something.
Posted by PillageUrVillage
Mordor
Member since Mar 2011
15919 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 8:49 am to
quote:

I hate hearing people complain about mushrooms in their garden.


Same. Every time is see them in my yard or garden I smile.
Posted by slinger1317
Northshore
Member since Sep 2005
6978 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 8:52 am to
I usually replenish the mulch every year

Every other year I scoop out everything and start over
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
48202 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 8:59 am to
I read an article yesterday about cultivating winecaps in the garden I think I’m going to give it a try. You cook a batch of brown rice, inoculate it in a jar, let it grow then incorporate the rice culture into a spot in the garden. Supposedly you get years of mushrooms

you can buy the culture in a syringe

LINK
Posted by Daponch
Da Nortchore
Member since Mar 2013
1153 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 9:14 am to
Use pine straw and you never have to remove the old straw. Just top it with fresh pine straw
Posted by TimeOutdoors
LA
Member since Sep 2014
13338 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 9:30 am to
FiendAndForest

Here's another source you might be interested in. I did this two years ago and just used pine shavings (not really expecting much from it). It produced much better than expected.

I used to plug logs but now when I get the urge for mushrooms I just order a few of their bricks and they have always produced well. I usually get their shitake, oyster, lionsmane set and then throw the blocks in my raised beds when done.

The gulf south mycological society is a nice mushroom club for the Southeast USA. GSMS Website
This post was edited on 3/27/26 at 9:38 am
Posted by CrawDude
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2019
5796 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 10:09 am to
quote:

Is there any problem leaving the old stuff besides mold growth?

As stated by others, absolutely leave the old mulch, and add to it - fungi, actinomycetes, and bacteria (“decomposers”) are all extremely important in decomposition of organic material and enriching the soil - whether lawn or garden.
This post was edited on 3/27/26 at 4:15 pm
Posted by calcotron
Member since Nov 2007
10445 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 11:16 am to
Only when there is too much of it to add more, but I don't get rid of it I just move it elsewhere.
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
61755 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 12:09 pm to
I don’t think I have ever removed old mulch before adding new…
Posted by tigeroarz1
Winston-Salem, NC
Member since Oct 2013
3886 posts
Posted on 3/27/26 at 1:12 pm to
Add a layer of some black cow manure or compost and mix it in. It will give it the fresh darker look and add nutrients.

Old mulch will still do most of its job (retains moisture and weed deterrent). I’ve never removed it.
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