Garden maintenance : mulch (grow, grass, trees, cypress)

[Baike]

Every year, do you need to take old mulch out and replace new mulch, or just add some new mulch on old mulch?

Thanks.

[Luvvarkansas]

I just add more, but I use organic mulches....pine straw, leaves, grass clippings...that breaks down pretty quickly. I have some beds under trees....free mulch (not to mention nutrients) every year!

I do not know the proper procedure for using bark/cypress mulch.[CENTER]Save[/CENTER]

[Baike]

Originally Posted by Luvvarkansas

I just add more, but I use organic mulches....pine straw, leaves, grass clippings...that breaks down pretty quickly. I have some beds under trees....free mulch (not to mention nutrients) every year!

I do not know the proper procedure for using bark/cypress mulch.[CENTER]Save[/CENTER]

Thanks for educating, grass clippings can be used as mulch?

[17thAndK]

Existing shredded bark mulch can be raked first if necessary to break up the surface a bit, but basically, it's just putting new on top of old. If possible, know the source of your mulch though. The closer to local the better as exotic mulch can be a disease transmitter.

Grass clippings are organic material and hence make an excellent mulch ingredient, but mostly after mixing and composting with other organic matter.

[bigbear99]

grass clippings tend to mat too much and block moisture. They can also add weed seeds where you don't want them.

I've used shredded bark, undyed, for years. It breaks down nicely and enriches the soil. I think earthworms move stuff around a bit, because the soil is enriched down to at least 6"

[submart]

I remove and replace sot there is a fresh look.

[Haksel257]

I replace it if it's a certain material that takes a while to turn into dirt. (pine needles/carbonaceous leaves). But if it's nitrogenous, it'll usually be mush by next season.

[Luvvarkansas]

Originally Posted by bigbear99

grass clippings tend to mat too much and block moisture. They can also add weed seeds where you don't want them.

Not if you let them dry first.

[bigbear99]

Dry grass clippings? Mine have always become full of mold or similar long before dryness.

Do you need to keep them dry? How?

[Luvvarkansas]

Originally Posted by bigbear99

Dry grass clippings? Mine have always become full of mold or similar long before dryness.

Do you need to keep them dry? How?

I have a large yard and parts of it grow faster than others. Sometimes when we mow we "make hay". lol I let it sit out in the sun for a day or two and voila, it's dry. I rake it up, spread it on bare spots, or put in into the compost pile. It doesn't turn slimy, even when it's rained on. It's not the prettiest thing, but it keeps the ground covered.

When I'm able to get it, I put pine straw on top of any ugly mulches I have put down, but I have a huge area to cover and am not always able to get the amount of pine straw I need — for free, anyway....I know I could go buy some but I'm not rolling in money.

I remember the first year I moved here...a nearby neighbor let me take all I wanted out of his pile of chopped leaves mixed with grass clippings, and the area where I used that as mulch is still soft and fluffy (with huge earthworms) today, 15 years later. Of course, I have left the leaves on it (it's a shady area with lots of trees) all these years to decompose, so that has helped also.