The plants have died due to neglect or frost and the food crop has been harvested.
Is the old mulch still viable?
Should it be removed?
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This pertains to the biodegradable material (bark, leaves, straw, etc.
), not to mulches that do not break down readily (stone, plastic, etc.).
Is Old Mulch Still Good to Use?
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That would be a waste of time, energy, and money.
Now put the old mulch back onto the planting bed.
Tip
This whole process can be completed well in advance of planting time.
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With the mulch already in place in this manner, weeds never get much of a chance to emerge.
Then acquire a load of new mulch as a replacement.
Cover crops should be chosen based on your location.
Warm season choices include legumes like cowpeas, and soybeans, buckwheat, and sorghum-sudangrass.
The crops are sowed over vegetable gardens and annual flower beds in the fall to protect them in winter.
Tilling cover crops under both frees up the garden for spring planting and puts nutrients into the soil.
Mow cover crops first, then run a garden tiller overa process known as tilling underthe cover crop.
By mowing first, the tilling will go easier since you will be tilling shorter vegetation.
Cover Crops.University of Maryland Extension
