![]() ![]() Throwing the old mulch and adding the new one is a time taking process.The old mulch is still under the process of decomposition which means it has more essential nutrients as compared to the new mulch.I would suggest using it because of two reasons: Thinking about what to do with the old mulch whether to throw it or to keep it. ![]() Simply speaking, old mulch means mulch that is not damaged even after a year in use. ( NOTE: Before you decide to till old mulch into the soil, be 100% sure that there are no signs of any fungal diseases in it.) The good news is you can till it into the soil. Mulch is used in raised beds because of its ability to grow and add nutrients to your favorite plants. Before using rotted wood in your garden it is highly advisable to have knowledge about how to keep termites away from your garden. So, if you are using rotted wood as a soil amendment you may come across termites as well. Termites will build colonies in such places and will damage the wood. Termites always look for a place where moisture is present as well as a place where they can find rotted wood. There is a group of insects that loves to eat soft and rotted wood, called termites. Never add fresh wood as a soil amendment as it will then use the nitrogen present in the soil making it useless for gardening for some seasons. The reason behind it is that the rotted wood is extremely rich in carbon and cellulose.įor the decomposition of woody materials, nitrogen and time are compulsory. Avoid Using Fresh Wood:īefore using the rotted wood as a soil amendment, you have to wait for it to decompose. Plants love this and hence will flourish when the wood chips are broken down. The microorganisms use the nitrogen for the decomposition process from which it is then released back into the soil as ammonium nitrate. This process usually takes somewhere between 2 to 6 months depending on the soil’s condition and population of microorganisms. The ammonium is then converted to nitrates by the nitrifying bacteria. The decomposers consume the organic matter, and the nitrogen contained in the dead organism is converted to ammonium ions. They will start showing signs of nitrogen deficiencies which will include yellowing of leaves because they are unable to make sufficient chlorophyll. This would temporarily rob the plants that are currently in the soil of nitrogen. This is true.īut there is one thing to remember when doing this when the microorganisms and bacteria begin to break down the wood chip there would be an initial deficiency of nitrogen in the soil as the microorganisms use it to decompose the wood chips. Mixing old mulch into the soil will help increase the organic matter within the soil. ![]() Precautions For Using Wood as a Soil Amendment: Temporary Nitrogen Loss:
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