too much mulch.

9 years ago

Hi, we moved into our new house last fall after a long time between houses. It's good to be back on GW now that I have a house again!

Anyway, last fall I was planting a few tulip bulbs with a bulb auger in a blank bed spanning a couple of trees. I found that the black shredded mulch was piled up very high. I planted my bulbs 8" in (I like to plant them deep in the hopes that they will live longer) and even at that depth, I was planting in mulch. I left them that way - what can I say, I was suffering with morning sickness at the time - and they are blooming now. I don't expect much from them next year.

But what about perennials? I assume I will have to get rid of some of this mulch, but what do I do if there's a foot of it? Would I just dig through the mulch until I hit ground and plant there? Or dig large holes and fill them up with soil and plant? Being 6 months pregnant and possibly having to go on bed rest in the next month or so, I'd prefer to keep the digging to a minimum. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Comments (4)

shadeyplace
9 years ago
Any way your HUSBAND could do this for you? Forget the mulch and take care of yourself. OR possibly just rake it out to another area.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
any chance you are confusing an incredible composting soil.. with mulch???

on my sand.. i would kill for 6 inches of compost ... and if i had money.. pay it gladly.. to have it applied .. and you are thinking of scraping it off.. or even worse.. amending planting holes ... once you do that.. you destroy the water managing capabilities of your bed soil .... creating little pockets of soil different than the surrounding area ....

if you planted the tulips and they came up.. i dont know what you are complaining about ... though i wonder why you thought planting them that deep would make them live longer ... i always planted them at 6 inches ... but i dont understand why you think they will now fail ..

i would be more concerned with what type of trees they are .. as to how well things will grow in your soil ... with root competition ...

you know what your important thing this summer is.. and its not the bed.. the garden ... nor the flowers... etc .. use this time to make plans ... for fall or next year ...

plant a few annuals.. and a few perennials.. and lets see how they do this year.. with abject neglect, but for water.. AND AFTERWARDS .. after the experiment of this summer.. then decide what if anything might need be done with the soil/mulch ...

right now you are guessing ... and i think .. somewhat distracted... as you should well be ... but i dont want you to be making big mistakes due to such ...

just plant some things.. and be happy ... and see what happens .. and you focus on that important project ...

good luck... with the garden also

ken
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shadeyplace
9 years ago
I was imagining a foot of hardwood mulch. I sure would not just stick a bulb or perennial in that. Possibly amend the existing soil with it, but not just plant in it.
ladychroe
Original Author
9 years ago
No, this is a foot of black-dyed shredded wood mulch. I can't imagine planting perennials in it.

My husband had knee surgery in January and is not up to the task.

Planting tulips deeply keeps them from dividing and weakening, and they are more perennial. I planted a lot of bulbs both ways and got a better return rate with the deeply planted ones.