What is the best way to apply mulch?

Smooth and level the area to be mulched with a landscaping rake or by hand. Apply a layer of plastic mulch or fabric landscape sheeting for extra weed control. Unbag the new mulch into a wheelbarrow. Using a shovel or hands, place small mounds of mulch around the space you are working with.


What is the best way to put mulch in?

Spread the mulch to the desired depth with a garden rake. For smaller areas, such as along a walkway or around a mailbox, you can spread it by hand or with a garden trowel. Work the mulch to the desired depth and pull it back from the plants so it isn't touching the stems or leaves.

What should you put down before putting down mulch?

Spray all weeds with weed killer 1 to 2 weeks prior to mulching. This allows weeds to completely die, making them much easier to pull.


How do you spread mulch like a pro?

  1. Use a pitchfork instead of a shovel to make moving the mulch easier.
  2. Load a large wheelbarrow with mulch. ...
  3. Dump the mulch in small piles in your work area.
  4. Spread the mulch with a steel tine rake, but you can also use your feet to kick or spread the mulch into place.


How do you prepare the ground before mulching?

How to prepare mulch beds
  1. Kill and remove weeds. ...
  2. Trim nearby trees and bushes. ...
  3. Rake your mulch bed. ...
  4. Cultivate the soil. ...
  5. Edge your mulch bed. ...
  6. Smooth out your mulch bed. ...
  7. Treat your mulch bed. ...
  8. Start mulching!


How to Mulch, The Three Musts of Mulching



What month should you mulch?

In general, mid- to late spring is mulching season-that's when the soil is warming up from the freezing temperatures it experienced all winter. Doing it too early will slow down the warming process, which the soil needs to do its job. Morrell also warns against mulching late in the fall.

What are the disadvantages of mulching?

Disadvantages of Mulching
  • TOO much mulch (a layer more than 3 inches deep) can bury and suffocate plants; water and oxygen can't reach the roots. ...
  • Mulch can contribute to rotting bark if piled up around the trunks of trees and shrubs.


What's the best tool to spread mulch with?

Rake — A bow rake is considered the best rake for spreading mulch because the shorter tines are strong, rigid, and designed for breaking up material and spreading. But you can use a handy leaf rake to get the job done as well. Flip it over and use the back side for a smooth mulch job with no bumps or lumps.


Should I remove old mulch?

Eventually all mulch will decompose and no longer provide the benefits it was designed for. Organic mulches provide nutrients to your soil, while retaining moisture and protecting the soil. As your mulch decomposes or is reduced in depth, you become more likely to see more problems with soil erosion and weeds.

How do you apply mulch manually?

Newspaper. A layer of four to eight sheets of newspapers will work as effective mulch. As you place your newspaper in the garden, rip the paper slightly so that your pieces can wrap around the base of your plant. Moisten the sheets when you place them on the soil to ensure they stick in place.

Should I put anything under my mulch?

Our answer – No. We do not recommend putting landscape fabric underneath your mulch for the simple reason that it usually causes more problems than any benefit it provides. For one, the fabric blocks the transfer of beneficial microorganisms from passing through that layer of soil.


Should I water before applying mulch?

Again, because of the primary purpose of mulch (moisture retention), after rain is prime-time for mulching. If it has not rained for a while and the weather is staying warm, make sure you water the plants and soil before mulching so that there is moisture present.

Why should you not put mulch around your house?

While mulch is great, it also creates an ideal environment for pests like termites to congregate. The mulch shields them from the elements so that they can thrive. For this reason, it's not always the best idea to lay mulch right next to your home's foundation.

Should you fluff your mulch?

A: It can be beneficial to rake or gently fluff mulch after several months, especially if it has caked. This can help air and water penetrate more easily to the soil. And it freshens the appearance, particularly of bark mulches that have faded.


Should you fluff up mulch?

Mulch color can fade over time, but "fluffing" the existing mulch or adding a very thin layer of new mulch can provide that "fresh" look. Hosta roots that are exposed to air can dry out, limiting their ability to take water from the soil.

Can you put mulch directly on soil?

Don't Assume You Need Something Underneath

If you use an organic mulch that will break down, like shredded hardwood bark, avoid landscape fabric because you want the mulch to be in contact with the soil to improve it, Day says.

Can I just put new mulch over old mulch?

If that amount already exists in your yard, it is not necessary to add new mulch. However, if you're down to an inch, top off the old layer with an additional inch of new mulch to keep it at its optimum level. Sometimes, mulch can knit together and start to mat–shredded hardwood in particular.


Should mulch touch your house?

To prevent termites from invading your home, ensure the mulch doesn't touch the exterior of your home specifically door frames and siding. Keep wood mulch six inches from the foundation or perimeter of your home. Close up the space between the exterior walls and flowerbeds using gravel.

How often should you add new mulch?

At most, you will need to replace your mulch once a year. If you want to know when to replace your mulch, the best thing you can do is to check the mulch at the beginning of spring and observe the condition. If it still looks much like it did when you laid it down, then it is probably good for another year.

Should you use a pitchfork for mulch?

Grab a wheelbarrow, a shovel or a pitchfork, and a rake. Use the pitchfork or shovel to load the mulch into your wheelbarrow.


How long does it take to spread 1 yard of mulch?

One man can typically spread a yard of mulch by hand in one hour, he says. Using the blower, two men can spread 60 yards in a day. That means crews spend less time on your property. We can get in and get out, leaving behind a perfectly spread layer of pretty mulch.

How do you spread mulch without hurting your back?

Be Mindful about How you Lift that Mulch
  1. Face the direction that you want to carry the weight. ...
  2. Avoid bending from the waist, which increases the stress on your lower back. ...
  3. Don't lift with your arms straight out, keep the elbows bent and to your side to minimize the stress on your back.


What is the healthiest mulch to use?

Compost is the best mulch for improving soil nutrients, but it's not the most attractive, cohesive option for landscaping beds. However, applying an organic mulch above compost worked into the soil can feed the soil over time.


When should mulching not take place?

Mulches are best applied from mid- to late spring, when annual weeds have not yet germinated and herbaceous plants are dormant, and autumn, as plants are dying back. They can be applied around new plantings or to established beds and specimen plants.

Is mulching in April too early?

One of the best times to put down mulch is in the early spring before plants have started to grow. At this time of year, there is very little disruption to existing perennials or bulbs as they are still underground, and they will grow through the mulch layer when they emerge.