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#1
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Adding Compost To Mulched Flower Beds
If you've placed a thick layer of bark mulch over your flower beds,
how do you go about amending the soil with compost come Springtime? Do you scrape aside the mulch, work the soil, then return the mulch? Or do you work the mulch into the soil itself, then apply a fresh layer? |
#2
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Adding Compost To Mulched Flower Beds
If you've placed a thick layer of bark mulch over your flower beds,
how do you go about amending the soil with compost come Springtime? I don't use bark mulch. I use about 3" of partially decomposed compost (leaves and grass) as mulch. The worms pull it gradually into the soil. As the mulch layer thins, I replace it from the compost pile. Do you scrape aside the mulch, work the soil, then return the mulch? If I used bark mulch, that is what I would do. Or do you work the mulch into the soil itself, then apply a fresh layer? The bark mulch is high in carbon, but nitrogen-poor. As soil bacteria decompose the bark mulch, they will use whatever nitrogen is available, depleting the soil of nitrogen for the plants. Therefore, if you work mulch pellets into the soil, you should provide a nitrogen source, such as blood or fish fertilizer, or fresh grass clippings. Wendy Wilmington, DE (Zone 7) |
#3
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Adding Compost To Mulched Flower Beds
If you've applied a thick layer of bark mulch over the beds, rake it to the
side and add a good layer of compost the bed. You don't have to mix it in; it will naturally break down and feed the soil below and act as a mulch too. You can either discard the old mulch or put it back on the bed. Penny Zone 7b - North Carolina "Fleemo" wrote in message om... If you've placed a thick layer of bark mulch over your flower beds, how do you go about amending the soil with compost come Springtime? Do you scrape aside the mulch, work the soil, then return the mulch? Or do you work the mulch into the soil itself, then apply a fresh layer? |
#4
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Adding Compost To Mulched Flower Beds
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#5
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Adding Compost To Mulched Flower Beds
So it's not necessary to work the compost into the soil? Top dressing
the beds will be just as effective? |
#7
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Adding Compost To Mulched Flower Beds
Fleemo wrote:
If you've placed a thick layer of bark mulch over your flower beds, how do you go about amending the soil with compost come Springtime? Do you scrape aside the mulch, work the soil, then return the mulch? Or do you work the mulch into the soil itself, then apply a fresh layer? Topdress. Don't bother turning or scraping. It's work, and it disturbs established soil structure. As others suggest, topdressings should be chosen to attract earthworms. |
#8
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Adding Compost To Mulched Flower Beds
Top dressing is an alternative. If you have the opportunity, dig the
compost into the bed. If the bed is already established, top dressing will help feed and condition the soil - but it takes a little longer. "Fleemo" wrote in message om... So it's not necessary to work the compost into the soil? Top dressing the beds will be just as effective? |
#9
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Adding Compost To Mulched Flower Beds
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#10
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Adding Compost To Mulched Flower Beds
Thank you all for your input.
-Fleemo |
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