Dump The Rake: The Hands-On Way To Get Smooth And Level Mulch

How do some homeowners get that level look to their mulched yards? Some people believe that you need to turn a rake upside-down for perfectly smooth mulch, but there's a simpler solution than grabbing a tool from your gardening shed. Rakes and pitchforks are commonly suggested to help spread mulch, but sometimes the application may not be as neat and even as you'd hoped. Using your hands to manually smooth the mulch throughout the space can help your mulching to be more level. This method is commonly used by landscapers and can give your property a cleaner, more professional look.

When the layer of mulch is too thin, weeds may still be able to sprout. On the other hand, too much mulch can be harmful for your plants, suffocating the roots. By using your hands to spread and smooth the landscaping material, you'll have more control over the thickness and where the wood chips land.

Depending on the area you're trying to cover, using your hands can be a safer method for laying mulch. Rakes may accidentally harm small or fragile plants, and distributing the mulch around them with your hands is a gentler approach. There are many benefits to completing this chore by hand, but it is more physical work and may take longer. Generally, mulching by hand is better for smaller areas. When trying to cover a larger portion of your property, the by-hand method will mean a lot of time spent bending over.

If you're not getting the results you want when spreading mulch with a rake, grab a pair of gardening gloves. Bring the mulch to the area you want to cover, scooping the material up and dumping it in piles where you'd like to spread the mulch. Though this can be done with a shovel, you can also grab handfuls of the bark and toss it where you need it.

To ensure the chips spread in an even, smooth layer, fluff the mulch with your hands. Spread your fingers out, like you would for a high five, and quickly sweep them over the mulch. Redistribute the piles, carefully pushing the wood chips under your plants with your fingers. The heel of your hand can also be used to measure the thickness of your mulch, keeping the layer 2 to 4 inches deep. Make sure not to form mounds around the bases of trees. Allow the mulch to thin a little as you reach the edges of your border beds, rather than completely filling any trench edging.

Mulch is a cheap, natural alternative to landscape fabric, and scattering the chips by hand saves you from having to hire a landscaper to apply it with a blower (which provides a very even layer) or buy a new tool. However, when working on filling bigger spots, a rake will help you to spread it faster and farther.