Who removes old pinestraw or mulch?

[New2TheGreenIndustry]

Twice this year a chemical company has told my customers they need to remove all the old pinestraw or mulch before installing the new. Do you do this? It seems like a big headache and something that should only be addressed when it has become a problem. The way I see it, a customer can pay a ton of money to have the mulching material removed, or they can pay whatever the cost to replace the damaged plant. Where do you stand?

[justanotherlawnguy]

Usually the extra cost deters someone who is hell bent on having the old stuff removed. What's the point anyway? It just means you have to put the new stuff on thicker.

[New2TheGreenIndustry]

I believe the point is the old stuff will promote fungal infection. Am I wrong?

[richallseasons]

And after a few months the new mulch will be different how?

[topsites]

Sure, and where's the wise guy who said the stuff needed removing? :p

[White Gardens]

I remove when needed. After 2-4 applications of mulch, eventually I need to get rid of some of it before I add new if there is way too much.

Most of the time it's mainly tree rings that need mulch removed before new put in.

Too much mulch can be harmful, but most of the time other companies are looking for excuses to for why plants aren't thriving. I've heard it all, too much mulch, commercial mowers causing grass health issues, etc... It always comes from the Chem guys too, it seems they are never the problem.

[borwicks]

I remove mulch when the new layer will be over 4". Takes about twice as long as laying down new. I am not from your area so I dont know what types of mold, fungus or other problems you may have.

[Kiril]

Twice this year a chemical company has told my customers they need to remove all the old pinestraw or mulch before installing the new.

That is a load of shiit, not to mention counter productive.

[touhey33]

the mulch just needs to be turned more often.

[Stillwater]

Twice this year a chemical company has told my customers they need to remove all the old pinestraw or mulch before installing the new. Do you do this? It seems like a big headache and something that should only be addressed when it has become a problem. The way I see it, a customer can pay a ton of money to have the mulching material removed, or they can pay whatever the cost to replace the damaged plant. Where do you stand?


The company telling your customers this was probibly a termite spraying company and yes they are right, if you don't agree well then your in the wrong business. I remove old mulch (cut down beds) only when necessary, ie: when the mulch layer over the years builds up to a point where the edge will no longer hold back the new mulch or the beds start to appear unsightly and humped over detracting from a elegant look to the landscape. When the mulch layer builds over the years and starts encroaching on the siding of building's or homes you would be a total ****** and negligent in your business not to advise and sell customers this labor and the importance in keeping earth away from the sills of homes and buildings. It is labor, labor makes money, for us anyways. If your not making anything on labor well then you are in a depressed geographic area or you are not priced right.

[Stillwater]

That is a load of shiit, not to mention counter productive.

Load of shite? Kiril, look at the big picture, and ask yourself why would a chem. company tell a customer to remove mulch? they most likely were spraying for wood boring insects. Where is the importance hear? pinestraw beds or the home or structure.

[Kiril]

Load of shite? Kiril, look at the big picture, and ask yourself why would a chem. company tell a customer to remove mulch? they most likely were spraying for wood boring insects. Where is the importance hear? pinestraw beds or the home or structure.

Big assumption there stillwater considering no details were given. Are we talking about piling up mulch next to a structure or all mulch beds in general? If we are talking structures, then technically there shouldn't be mulch or soil within a minimum 6" of the bottom of the siding (out here they recently changed it to 8"), and properly graded (slope 6"/10ft) . How many houses do you see meeting that requirement? Out here with slab on grade construction, probably 80-90% of the houses do not meet that requirement anymore, if they ever did. Should a homeowner in this situation remove 50-100 yards of soil because their structure is in danger?

Since the OP didn't specify, the only logical assumption is this was a general recommendation .... so yes, a load of shiit.

Why would you remove a natural source of fertility without good reason?

[Stillwater]

Big assumption there stillwater considering no details were given. Are we talking about piling up mulch next to a structure or all mulch beds in general? If we are talking structures, then technically there shouldn't be mulch or soil within a minimum 6" of the bottom of the siding (out here they recently changed it to 8"), and properly graded (slope 6"/10ft) . How many houses do you see meeting that requirement? Out here with slab on grade construction, probably 80-90% of the houses do not meet that requirement anymore, if they ever did. Should a homeowner in this situation remove 50-100 yards of soil because their structure is in danger?

Since the OP didn't specify, the only logical assumption is this was a general recommendation .... so yes, a load of shiit.

Why would you remove a natural source of fertility without good reason?

Dam right it is a big assumption, and a good one, so why in the hell did the chemical company suggest that they do that? ahh.. duh..to give you business? Please it is clear by your last sentence you can't think on your feet and you have no experience in real estate ownership. Then you would realize yes if the structure is in danger and a cost to benefit is looked at- yes it takes priority over old pine straw or mulch no matter the fertility level or yardage involved. That alone made me laugh so hard I almost soiled myself.......

[Kiril]

Dam right it is a big assumption, and a good one, so why in the hell did the chemical company suggest that they do that? ahh.. duh..to give you business?

Yup, that pretty much says it all Still. Lets screw the client for my benefit. Guess we know where you are coming from and how you run your business. :nono: I suppose you also recommend "just in case" applications of pesticides and fertilizers to justify a billing.

And yes Still, all planting beds are next too buildings and present a clear danger to the structure.......... :hammerhead: Leave it to you to take a general statement made by the OP and turn it into a very specific type of problem. Go on keep playing your assumption game while the real professionals provide tangible and beneficial services to their clients.

FYI, not only do I own real estate, but I am in the process of a complete gut and rebuild of my house, most of which I am doing myself.

[hillcountry]

I agree...if the client feels that the old mulch needs to be removed, then remove it. Explain that this is a time consuming process that is going to cost them some money to do. I have run into a similar situation....and the client was happy to pay for it. I didnt think it needed to be done, but the client would not have been as happy if I didnt do it or I tried to talk him out of it.

[JeffNY]

only when its necessary. If there's still a good 3" of old mulch, its gone.
There's a place here in town that was just done, no joke, there's gotta be a good 18" of mulch. It looks ridiculous.

[Stillwater]

only when its necessary. If there's still a good 3" of old mulch, its gone.
There's a place here in town that was just done, no joke, there's gotta be a good 18" of mulch. It looks ridiculous.

I know the look exactly, looks like Butt with no elegance or detail at all, just humped over beds.....

[White Gardens]

only when its necessary. If there's still a good 3" of old mulch, its gone.
There's a place here in town that was just done, no joke, there's gotta be a good 18" of mulch. It looks ridiculous.


About the best post so far.

I've been watching this thread, and to me it goes either way.

If mulch is correctly maintained, beginning with good mulch, then there is no need to take it out. That means it needs to be turned periodically.

So, for all you guys who don't remove the old mulch, do you just keep it compressed and add new on top, or tilling the old first. If you just keep adding, your making a haven for insects to dwell as the mulch compresses overtime.

Your going to get way to much mulch eventually and it will have to be removed. I would think your adding too much material to the beds, and then you might run into grade issues leading to water problems along with disease and insects.

I always do what the situation calls for.

[Stillwater]

About the best post so far.

I've been watching this thread, and to me it goes either way.

If mulch is correctly maintained, beginning with good mulch, then there is no need to take it out. That means it needs to be turned periodically.

So, for all you guys who don't remove the old mulch, do you just keep it compressed and add new on top, or tilling the old first. If you just keep adding, your making a haven for insects to dwell as the mulch compresses overtime.

Your going to get way to much mulch eventually and it will have to be removed. I would think your adding too much material to the beds, and then you might run into grade issues leading to water problems along with disease and insects.

I always do what the situation calls for.



Another good post..............