Do I have to change the mulch I put in my garden last year?

Question

Last year, I cleared a rocky area and put in some perennial plants. I put down the black weed preventing mat and put mulch on top of that. Do I need to change the mulch this spring, and what do I do with the black weed mat?

Answer 1

You do not need to remove the old mulch. Add a bit more on top where there are bare spots. The mulch slowly turns into compost.