If you have property that needs upkeep, you might be thinking about forestry mulching, which is an easy way to boost growth and keep the soil healthy. A type of land clearing called forestry mulching removes unwanted trees, brush, and other plants from your property. You can improve soil health and reduce erosion by cutting down and chipping some plants without clearing the land completely. You may be curious about how to plant on land that you want to use for farming or landscaping after forestry mulching.
Is there a certain time you should plant? How quickly will the soil heal after forestry mulching? Here are five important things you should know before you plant after forestry mulching.
Mulching your flower and shrub beds is an important gardening task A layer of mulch helps suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature But what if you mulch an area and then realize you forgot to plant something there? Can you still plant after mulching or do you need to remove the mulch first?
The short answer is yes, you can plant after mulching. But it takes a bit more care and effort to do it right. Here’s what you need to know about the best practices for planting in an already-mulched garden bed.
Should You Plant Before or After Mulching?
Ideally, it’s best to prepare your soil, plant new flowers and shrubs, and then add mulch. This sequence avoids several potential issues.
If you mulch first and then plant, you’ll have to move the mulch out of the way when digging holes or creating a trench to plant into. And inevitably some bits of mulch will end up mixed in with the soil.
While a small amount of fine organic mulch blended into the soil usually isn’t a big concern. too much can cause problems
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Wood mulches rob nitrogen from the soil as they decompose. This can stress young plants.
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Mulch mixed into the planting hole or trench can prevent good soil contact with roots.
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Residual mulch on the soil surface around new plants looks messy.
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If mulch builds up too high around plant stems and crowns, it can lead to rot and disease.
So while planting after mulching is possible, it requires extra care to prevent issues. Here are some tips to make it work:
How to Plant in an Already-Mulched Bed
If you find yourself needing to plant something new into a freshly mulched garden area, follow these guidelines:
Remove Mulch from Planting Sites
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Clear mulch 12-18 inches out from where you want to plant. This gives you room to work.
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For individual holes, peel mulch back and place it on a tarp.
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For long trenches or rows, use a rake or hoe to shift mulch to the sides.
Dig Holes and Trenches in Bare Soil
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Focus on removing mulch rather than soil when digging planting sites.
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Avoid mixing lots of mulch into the native soil removed.
Backfill with Native Soil Only
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Make sure no mulch bits end up in the planting hole or trench.
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Fill in around roots with original soil dug out. Don’t add compost or amendments over mulch.
Pull Mulch Away from Stems
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Keep mulch 2-3 inches back from the base of plant stems and crowns.
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This prevents moisture buildup and rotting.
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Over time, mulch can be spread closer as plants establish.
Top Dress After Planting
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Water new plants first, then add a fresh 1-2 inch layer of mulch over the whole bed.
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This neatly covers up leftover disturbed areas.
By removing mulch first and keeping it out of planting holes, you can avoid the pitfalls of planting after mulching. Take your time and be meticulous about soil contact and mulch placement.
The extra effort is worthwhile to get your new plants off to a healthy, vigorous start in your lush mulched garden beds.
Alternative Options for Planting in Mulched Beds
If you have a large area to plant, removing pre-existing mulch entirely may be impractical. Here are a couple of options that allow planting to happen after mulching:
Wait 3-4 Weeks
Let newly applied mulch settle first before planting. This allows some decomposition and makes mulch easier to displace.
Use Cardboard Sheets
Cover mulched areas with cardboard cut to shape before planting. Remove cardboard after planting and replace mulch.
Add Soil On Top
If planting a large area like a wildflower meadow, add 3-4 inches of planting mix over the mulch before sowing seed.
Switch to Gravel Mulch
Inorganic gravel mulches like pea stone avoid potential soil nutrient issues. Just rake back the stones where needed to plant.
Perfect Your Mulching and Planting Order
Getting your garden mulching and planting sequence right may take some trial and error. But with the tips above, you can ensure healthy plants whether you mulch before or after planting new additions.
The key is taking care not to bury plants directly in mulch and preventing soil nutrient deficiencies. With smart mulch management, your flowers and shrubs will thrive and your garden will stay lush yet tidy.
Planting After Forestry Mulching: 5 Things to Know
When it comes to forestry mulching, it’s best to plan ahead. Branches, trees, some bushes, and other plants are cut down, the pieces are shred into mulch, and then the mulch is put back on the ground. Of course, making a plan ahead of time will help you figure out where to put down mulch and plant seeds or seedlings.
It makes sense to put mulch back on the ground after cutting down plants or trees for aesthetic or property improvement reasons. Mulch stops weeds from growing and keeps the soil stable. But you should only put a little mulch on the ground where you want plants, trees, or crops to grow.
This main difference means you will need to have a clear plan for your property, both for the area you want to cut down and for where you want mulch to be put on the ground. With intention and a plan, you will be better prepared for successful planting after forestry mulching.
- Assess Property for Planting Purposes
Sometimes, the tools used for forestry mulching change the soil in a way that needs to be fixed before you can plant. You will need to look at the land first whether you want to plant trees, native plants, or crops on your newly cleared land.
Has the soil sustained significant damage? If so, you may need to repair it before you take your next steps. In other words, as you create a plan for planting after forestry mulching, it is important to build a buffer of time, given the possibility that you’ll need to manage soil repair.
Aside from knowing how heavy machinery can damage your land, you will also need to know a lot about it. There may be more room to plant because of forestry mulching, but it’s important to check that the space is right for the job. Does the soil have enough depth for new plants’ roots to take hold? Does it get enough light? Or does it need more drainage?
You can be sure of your choice about which areas of your property will be best for planting after carefully examining them. You can then choose which areas will remain open for planting and which will be covered with mulch.
- Prepare Soil and Area
Once you’ve selected the best areas of your property for planting, you will need to prepare the soil to maximize growth potential. Healthy growth, whether for landscaping or agriculture, depends on the quality of your soil.
Ideally, the area you intend to use for planting will have proper pH and balanced nutrients. How dark and crumbly the soil is can tell you a lot about how healthy it is. Healthy soil can easily come off the roots of plants you pull out. Soil that is not too dense, yet not dry and loose, is ideal for planting. Generally, the presence of earthworms and fungi are a good sign that the soil is fertile and healthy.
Maybe the area you want to plant in was hurt by forestry mulching equipment, or maybe it has never gotten the care it needs for healthy soil. Now is the time to get the soil ready for planting.
If the soil is healthy but the ground is packed down, you might need to let it heal itself. If your soil needs some help, you might just need to add some simple things to it, like manure, compost, lime, or sulfur. It is best to speak with an expert to best understand what your property may require.
- Time Forestry Mulching to Planting Schedule
Of course, your schedule will be different depending on where you live and why you want to mulch your trees. So, if ground frost is likely to happen in your area in the winter, you will need to plan your planting for that time of year.
When planning to plant after forestry mulching, you should usually give the soil enough time to be ready, but not so much time that weeds, invasive species, or other types of regrowth get in the way of your planting schedule.
As long as the equipment used for forestry mulching doesn’t damage the soil too much and the soil is healthy, you could plant as soon as two weeks after the mulching is done.
Of course, you’ll also have to think about when the plants, trees, bushes, or crops you want to grow will do best, since each has its own seasonal rules.
- Be Prepared to Adjust
Of course, when it comes to Mother Nature, you should always be ready to pivot. Not all plans for your property will unfold as you might estimate. Some people may find that they need more time to fix their soil after selective reduction of forestry mulching is done, or that the landscape is not what they had hoped for.
Remember that planting after forestry mulching works best when you have both a Plan A and a Plan B. This will help you make your schedule and budget. Following the mulching process will give you a better view of the state of your soil and property.
When to Plant Groundcovers – Before or After Mulching?
FAQ
Should I plant before or after mulch?
Can you plant immediately after sheet mulching?
Should old mulch be removed before planting?
Can I plant straight into mulch?
