Can You Put New Soil on Top of Mulch?

Top soil and mulch are both highly effective ways to improve your gardening results. However, people often wonder if they’re allowed to mix them together or which order they have to be used in. There’s no doubt that you can use soil and mulch together, but what should you know first?

You can put new soil on top of mulch if the mulch is thin, aerated, and fresh. Place a 1/2 to 1-inch layer of soil over the mulch to promote drainage and nutrition to the seeds and plants on the upper layer. Make sure the mulch isn’t too wet or warm when you add the new soil.

Throughout this article, we’ll discuss how you can put new soil on mulch, why it’s recommended for a plethora of homeowners, and whether to not you should till the mulch into the soil. We’ll also talk about the effectiveness of placing topsoil over wood chips rather than mulch.

How to Put New Soil on Mulch

To put new soil on mulch, follow these steps:

1. Mix the mulch to ensure it’s not too wet or clumped together. If the mulch is too wet, it’ll smell like manure. The same goes for dry mulch, so make sure it’s slightly damp to the touch, but not drenched. Adding the soil over soaked mulch will trap the moisture and grow bacteria.
2. Remove excess mulch since there should only be about a one-inch layer. Use a shovel or rake to evenly remove the extra mulch. Most of us put a couple of inches of mulch, but you really only need about one-half to one inch of mulch for the best benefits.
3. Top the mulch layer with a one-inch layer of new soil. Ensure the soil is enriched and made specifically for the plants you’re covering. You can use compost if you mix soil into the pile since it naturally breaks down. This mixture turns into a combination of mulch, soil, and organic fertilizer.
4. Gently press the soil into the mulch. Use your hands or the back of a shovel to compact the soil and mulch enough to prevent them from blowing away. Don’t press too hard or it’ll impact the drainage and oxygen in the soil. A few pats will do the trick, then head to the next step.
5. Water the mulch and soil regularly. Add a bit of water to the soil and mulch right when you finish, then water it as often as the plants need it. If the soil starts to get too dry or cracked, add water and stir the mulch to add oxygen to the mix. You can also top it off with fertilizer over the mulch.

Adding new soil to mulch is a top-notch way to get better results and plant growth throughout the year. If your plants require high drainage, you should limit the amount of mulch you use. Too much mulch or soil will prevent the water, sunlight, and nutrients from making their way to the roots.

Why Do People Put Mulch Under the Soil?

People put mulch under the soil to alter its drainage, aerate the soil, and prevent mud slides. Mulch acts as a retaining barrier that prevents dirt from getting too muddy and sliding downhill, which can be quite useful if you have sloped gardens. A little bit of mulch goes a long way.

Here’s a list of reasons you should consider putting new soil over mulch:

• Fluffy mulch brings oxygen to the roots, leaves, and stems. Mulch is one of the most effective methods of rejuvenating the soil and bringing plants back to life. While too much of it can be problematic, the right combo of mulch topped with soil is ideal.
• Mulch promotes drainage, preventing the water from evaporating too quickly or going below the roots. One of the primary reasons people use mulch is because it lets the soil absorb water without pooling or draining it too fast. One inch of soil over one inch of mulch is often as good as it gets.
• Adding a thin layer of mulch will stop the effects of bare soil on the land. According to HGTV, leaving a patch of bare soil can cause long-lasting issues by promoting mud slides, soil destruction, and more. Cover the soil with mulch or vice versa to prevent these problems from occurring.
• Some types of mulch bring much-needed nutrients to the soil. If you mulched your lawn and got a bunch of grass clippings, you’ll be delighted to know they’re loaded with almost everything your garden needs to thrive. Add the grass mulch to the dirt, top it with a bit of soil, and watch as the plants grow.

Mulch and soil aren’t always a necessary combination, but they can work wonders for plants that need better drainage. There’s no denying the effectiveness of adding mulch above or below the top soil, so why not give it a try to see if it helps your garden?

Can You Till Mulch into Soil?

You can till mulch into soil to increase the soil’s oxygen, moisture retention, nutrient makeup, and more. Tilling mulch into the soil is an excellent way to bring life into old soil or improve new soil. This trick works well with both mulched grass and mulched bark.

Getting the perfect mulch starts with the mower (or whichever machine you’re using). The mulching blade’s sharpness matters since the right consistency increases nutrient absorption.

Before you till the mulch into soil, consider watering the ground. This will make it much easier for the mulch and new soil to mix, and it’ll bring water to the roots (if you’ve planted anything).

It’s best to use a manual tiller instead of a mower attachment, but either of them will work. One like the LawnMaster Corded Electric Tiller mixes the soil and mulch without adding too much pressure. You’ll notice the soil feels much softer rather than dense and compacted.

Another option is to till the ground soil, add a one-inch layer of mulch, then top it off with new, enriched soil. This layering is ideal for new gardens, but it can refresh old, dry soil without requiring a landscaping crew.

Can I Put Topsoil Over Wood Chips?

You can’t put top soil over wood chips because the wood chips are too dense and will smother the roots and seeds below the surface. It’s best to remove the wood chips and place them on top of the soil. You can also place cedar chips on top of grass mulch and soil.

Wood chips can make or break a garden. Too many of them won’t let the soil get the hydration, sunlight, or oxygen it needs. On the other hand, the right amount of wood chips can help with soil drainage and mildew or fungi.

If you want to use wood chips, they should be the top layer. According to Houston Turf Grass, placing too many wood chips under topsoil can do more harm than good.

Those searching for wood chips to use over the top soil should try the Wood Smith USA 100% Natural Cedar Chips. They mask foul odors, prevent weeds and fungi, and help immensely with drainage.

Conclusion

Adding mulch and soil to your garden will greatly improve the germination and growth process. They work well with or without fertilizer, but make sure you don’t add too much of each layer. The last thing you want to do is add too much weight on top of the roots, preventing the water from getting through the soil.