I've recently transitioned from container gardening to planting directly in the ground, and my biggest issue so far has been dealing with weeds. To help with that, I've been using a lot of mulch. I've heard some advice suggesting that tilling mulch into the soil could deplete nitrogen levels and potentially make things harder for next year's plants. Is that true? Should I remove the mulch before I till for the next growing season?
2 Answers
I personally think it's better to rake out the mulch. Decomposing materials can deplete nitrogen from the soil initially. They’ll release it back once they've fully composted, which takes a while. If you do decide to till, consider making some compost tea monthly to help maintain growth and yield in your garden.
You're on the right track, but rather than raking out the mulch, you could just add some organic nitrogen. The microbes in your soil will break down the mulch and recycle that nitrogen while they're at it. I’d suggest using fish hydrolysate for a nice boost.