How to Refresh an Existing Bark Bed

Reviewed by Specialty Soils• Updated August 21, 2026

Do not automatically add a full layer every spring

1. Measure depth in several places.
2. Remove or control established weeds.
3. Subtract existing depth from desired depth.
4. Keep trunks and woody stems clear.
5. Add only the needed top-up.

Burying mature perennial weeds is not reliable control, and repeated full-depth applications can create excessive mulch accumulation.

Sources & references

General horticultural guidance is supported by the following authoritative resources. Specialty Soils product statements and labeled company observations are first-party information.

• University of Minnesota Extension — Mulching for Soil and Garden Health
• University of Minnesota Extension — Watering Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs
• University of Minnesota Extension — Fertilizing Evergreens