Hey everyone, I'm looking for some advice on whether to till my compacted soil this spring or just work with the mulch I laid down last year. I live in Indiana, and my soil tends to crack easily. The mulch has helped a lot, but I'm worried about what to do now. Should I just move some mulch aside and add new dirt and compost on top? I'm also concerned about losing nitrogen if I till the mulch in or lay new dirt directly on top. Any tips would be appreciated!
2 Answers
You might not need to till at all! The mulch will break down over time and enrich the soil without adding more dirt or compost. Just let nature do its thing!
Honestly, if you’re adding new soil and compost, I wouldn’t stress too much about nitrogen loss. Tilling your compacted soil can help revive it, especially if it’s barren. You can mix in the mulch without removing it entirely. Just a heads up, as the mulch decomposes, it might sap some nitrogen, but you can counter that with nitrogen-rich fertilizers or by planting nitrogen-fixing plants. Eventually, your soil will come back to life!
Thanks a bunch! Your advice is super helpful!