Topping up a bed treated with mulch and weed membrane

Hi guys,

So early in the season before I let the gardening bug get me, I engaged my Father in Law to help me sort out the first bit of my garden.

It was a sorry looking quadrant which had some unlooked after shrubs, and a couple of flowers of low quality.

And thousands of weeds.

We spent a day and a half weeding and forking, planted some established flowers, moved the perennials around so they were more spaced out.

We then laid down some weed membrane (good stuff) and covered with bark chippings. It looked great.

However what we didn't do, was to spend some time generally conditioning the soil. I think it would benefit from the addition of some quality organic compost at this mid season point.

So for those of you who mulch using non-soil materials, and those who also have used membranes, what are the practical steps needed to top up the soil? I feel like the only answer is to remove it all? Is that right!?

 

I am finding that opinion very commonly now, but the job is done now I guess and I can't rip it up while he's still visiting asking how it's going

 

I only use for veg, adding compost/manure before laying, growing a couple of crops before lifting, then growing spuds, and feeding before laying again.

If I want to add anything other than a diluted liquid feed whilst it's down, I use manure and/or chicken poo pellets diluted to a fine slurry and apply using a water can with a wide spout (or the end section unscrewed), pushing the end under the membrane where it's cut for planting through.

 

Hiya Cardinal Red
Sorry but I hate membrane no matter what quality it is
For pathways and those who have massive gardens not intended for planting it is suitable but there are several downsides
The soil cannot be enriched or improved. The soil is dead...light and air are excluded.
Plants cannot easily be moved again and planting bulbs and other things is difficult and restraining.
I have removed so much membrane and seen the benefit to plants for so doing.
I am an organic mulcher.....I used to get loads of seaweed from the beach, used lots of mushroom compost, leaf mould and manure.
Now I have access to cheap locally made compost and over the winter I used it as a thick mulch. Now I am mulching again and weeds are few and far between. I use the same compost when planting and I also use it for top dressing the lawn (it definitely helps conserve moisture during the summer)
Why use an artificial mulch like membrane that does absolutely nothing for the soil.....stops birds feeding on the soil too.....when we can use organic mulches to benefit the soil?

 

Yes as I expected I'm finding the same view I've come to separately that the membrane was not a good idea, but I was young and naïve back in March

 

Distaste at my weed membrane aside....

Even without it there's a layer of bark chip sitting there. Do I have to scoop them all out? This wouldn't be so bad on my small patch but thinking about bigger gardens is that what people do twice a year?

 

No dig it in Cardinal Red. Bark chips will help improve your soil. Adding compost in one form or another can dramatically improve soils and, therefore, the plants growing in them

 

If you're going to dig in chipped bark, Cardinal-Red, then it would be worth adding a source of nitrogen at the same time. The process of decomposition of woody materials depletes the soil of nitrogen. If it's any consolation, I'm a fan of geotextile (anti-weed membrane) and from personal experience, I can confirm that the soil underneath is perfectly healthy, nicely damp and that there are no weeds competing with the plants for food and water. The borders where I've used it are thriving