De-Mulching???

[Best Dirt Farms]

This is gonna sound dumb...

I bought this house last Winter...The mulch is pretty well gone around the shrubs. There are also pieces of fabric here and there.

I don't want to replace the mulch...However, I would like to put down new fabric and cover with decorative stone.

My question is; Do I just cover the existing "stuff" or do I need to remove the "stuff" and start anew?

Any Ideas?

[PSUscaper]

Depends on how much 'stuff' is there. If the old mulch is pretty thich still, you should remove as the addition of stone may raise the grade up to a height that covers/burys too much of the plants stem and can cause damage.

For any job I've done that involves replacing mulch with stone, I always remove the exis mulch. It makes for a nice stone install in the end. You don't have to be perfect, but just get most up it up so you don't have plants being buried and so you get a level surface for the stone. I usually leave the exis fabric and cut out any pieces that are really sticking out, but in general, I find it pretty easy to just lay the new fabric and stone right on top of it after the mulch is removed.

[P-Train]

I'll agree with that.

If there isn't much mulch then just lay the fabric and staple it down with "sod" staples to keep it tight and flat.

If there was a lot of mulch, eventually it may settle a little after it decomposes giving you a low spot. If you have less than an inch I really wouldn't worry about it at all.

Go Vols!

[Best Dirt Farms]

Thanks for the help ya'll...P-Train, them Vols are awesome!!!