Topdressing much in the spring is a great way to spruce up landscape beds and tree rings. Not only does topdressing mulch give your project a cleaner look, but there are also some important reasons why you should mulch. Mulching is a great way to help keep moisture in the soil around your trees and plants. Mulch will act like an insulator between environmental conditions and the soil. Keeping a fresh layer of much around trees will reduce competition from grass and weeds. Grass and weeds are competing for the same nutrients and water that your tree is competing for. When harsh weather conditions are present, the lack or non-existence of mulch may contribute to the stress of the tree. Mulching around new trees should be done out to the drip layer of the tree. The drip layer of the tree is the farthest reaching point on the tree. Usually newly planted trees will have a 3 or 4 foot ring around them. Topdressing mulch around trees is also important because it can help protect the base of the tree. Mowers and weed eaters can cause damage to the bark of the tree if they come in contact with the tree. Creating a buffer layer around the trunk of the tree creates a safe zone around the tree.
Topdressing Mulch in your project.
On average a healthy three-inch layer of mulch can be placed in existing mulch areas every year. By the time the mulch settles into place, the three inches turn into one or two inches of new mulch. Before you topdress your existing mulch beds, it is important to prepare the site. Remove any weeds or debris from the areas prior to mulching. If excessive compacted mulch is present, it may be necessary to remove some of the old mulch. Most of the time existing mulch will break down fast enough where it does not need removing. It is also important to keep the new mulch away from the base of trees and plants. This mulch can smother the plant or hold moisture next to the base of the plant. If this happens, the bark on your plant may rot or the plant might die.