FIELD NOTES / GARDEN BASICS

Top up mulch without piling it too deep

Measure what’s already there, then buy only the layer your garden still needs.

Top up the layer, not the pile

Measure existing mulch before adding more. University of Maryland Extension recommends keeping organic mulch at no more than three inches and clear of plant trunks. Appropriate depth depends on mulch type and the planting.

Use target depth and existing depth

If a bed currently has two inches and your chosen final target is three inches, calculate one inch of additional material. If the existing layer already meets the target, the calculator correctly returns zero additional volume.

Leave stems and trunks clear

Avoid heaping material against bark. Ask a local extension service or garden professional when conditions or materials need different treatment.

Source: University of Maryland Extension: Excess Mulch Problems.