Spreading fresh mulch in garden beds and around trees and shrubs is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your landscape. A layer of mulch conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, moderates soil temperature, and adds an attractive finished look. But spreading bagged mulch or having it dumped in piles can be back-breaking work. Having the right tools makes the job much easier and ensures an even, professional application.
When it comes to spreading mulch, you need tools that can efficiently move and distribute large volumes across your entire landscape. Sturdy tools that won’t break under heavy loads of mulch are ideal. Options range from basic manual tools to large mechanical equipment. Consider scale, cost, and convenience when choosing mulch spreading tools With the proper implements, you can make short work of a massive mulching job
Manual Mulch Spreading Tools
For small residential gardens, manual tools usually provide all the mulch spreading power you need. Simple hand tools allow control and precision in placing mulch exactly where you want it. Here are effective options for manual mulch application:
Landscape Rake
A standard bow rake with extended curved tines is the most versatile manual tool for spreading mulch. The wide row of tines allows you to rake and fan out mulch easily over large areas. Metal landscape rakes stand up to rough use. Use a landscape rake to:
- Roughly distribute piles of mulch across beds
- Grade and smooth mulch to an even depth
- Edge and taper mulch around bed perimeters
- Rake out mulch that’s creeping onto lawns
Landscape rakes excel at quickly moving mulch where needed and blending it evenly. They are affordable at any hardware store.
Garden Hoe
A long-handled hoe provides leverage to pull and spread mulch from piles into garden beds or around trees. The horizontal blade evenly distributes mulch as you push and pull it along the ground Use a hoe to
- Break up clumped mulch piles
- Blend pathways between mulched areas
- Spread mulch away from trunks and stems
- Create shallow trenches to define bed edges
The hoe handle gives you greater reach across beds. Use it to rapidly move bulk mulch where it’s needed.
Pitchfork
A garden pitchfork is ideal for tossing lifting and breaking up dense piles of mulch for spreading. The tines can also rake level and smooth mulch into place once spread out. A pitchfork allows you to
- Break up and distribute piles of bulk mulch
- Loosen and aerate tightly-packed mulch
- Toss mulch to spread it greater distances
- Blend in edges of mulched areas
The pitchfork tines can handle sticky, clumping mulches that don’t slide off a rake easily. Use it anytime brute force is needed to move mulch.
Garden Fork
Garden forks have flattened, spade-like tines that slide easily under mulch and lift it. Use a garden fork to:
- Loosen and lift compacted mulch
- Break up large mulch chunks
- Pry up and move whole sections of mulch
- Leverage thick mulch layers where a rake can’t penetrate
Garden forks provide heavy lifting power. The flat tines give you greater control than a pitchfork when moving whole sections of mulch.
Tamper or Tamping Tool
After spreading mulch, a tamping tool levels it to an uniform depth and compacts it around plants. Handheld tampers or just a piece of lumber work well to:
- Compress and smooth mulch
- Settle mulch around plant crowns
- Pack mulch so it stays put
- Level mulch to consistent thickness
Tamping also blends mulch layers and removes air pockets. Always tamp newly spread mulch for a polished look.
Shovel & Spade
A sturdy shovel or spade comes in handy for mulch chores like:
- Scooping loose mulch from piles
- Cutting edges and distinct lines in mulch
- Digging trenches and mulch wells around plants
- Prying up old mulch for replacement
- Chopping or slicing matted mulch
Use a shovel or spade for detailed mulch work and anytime brute force is required. The blade edge trims professional looking edges.
With these essential manual tools, you have everything needed for mulch handling and spreading. Rely on rakes and hoes for easy distribution. Use forks and shovels when heavy lifting or mulch removal is needed. Any homeowner can tackle mulching jobs with these basic tools.
Mechanical Mulch Spreaders
Large landscapes, commercial jobs, or massive amounts of mulch call for heavy-duty mechanical spreading equipment. While pricier and less maneuverable, power mulch spreaders make quick work of huge areas. Popular options include:
Landscape Rake Attachment
Many lawn tractors or ATVs can attach a powered landscape rake. It allows you to:
- Cover expansive areas much faster
- Spread mulch deeply over uneven ground
- Quickly move mountains of mulch
Rake attachments are ideal for properties with acres of gardens. Cover more ground with less labor.
Pull-Behind Broadcast Spreaders
Towable spreaders can be loaded with a cubic yard of mulch or more. As they’re pulled, they distributed mulch in a wide swath. Broadcast spreaders allow rapid spreading across:
- Large gardens, parks, fields
- Golf courses
- Orchards, vineyards
- Forested areas
A tow-behind spreader ensures an even application over broad spaces.
Tractor Buckets & Front-End Loaders
Tractors equipped with a loader bucket can scoop, transport, and dump mulch quickly. The operator spreads mulch by:
- Dumping and spreading bucket loads
- Grading mulch evenly with the bucket
- Using the bucket to tamp and compact mulch
Tractor loaders make a big job manageable, especially over acreage. Loaders provide the heavy lifting power for massive mulching projects.
PTO-Powered Spreaders
3-point PTO spreaders mount to a tractor’s rear hitch. As the tractor drives, the PTO (power takeoff) spins a broadcast spreading mechanism. PTO spreaders efficiently cover very large areas like:
- Orchards
- Tree nurseries
- Parks
- Golf courses
- Farms
A PTO spreader mounted on a high-horsepower tractor can spread mulch faster than any other implement. It’s the best choice for major commercial jobs.
While pricier, power spreading equipment is a worthwhile investment for professionals or anyone needing to mulch vast landscapes. Match the scale of your job with an appropriately-sized tool for efficiency.
Choosing the Right Mulch Spreading Tools
Your choice of spreading tools depends on several factors:
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Area size – Larger areas demand power equipment. Small beds only need hand tools. Assess how much total ground needs covering.
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Access – Mechanical equipment can’t easily maneuver tight spots. Hand tools allow access and precision.
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Terrain – Rough or steep terrain is difficult for power equipment but can be managed with manual tools.
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Mulch type – Dry, loose mulches spread easily with most tools, while sticky mulches may take heavy-duty equipment.
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Budget – Professional power tools are more costly than basic manual tools. Prioritize essential tools first.
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Experience level – Homeowners can use basic manual tools effectively, while professionals need commercial-grade equipment.
The best mulch spreading tools give you efficiency and versatility. Having a variety of hand tools and power equipment allows you to handle any job. Invest in quality tools made for durability. With the right implements, mulching your landscape becomes almost enjoyable!
Mulch Spreading Techniques
Proper technique is also key to quick, effective mulch spreading. Keep these tips in mind:
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First distribute mulch piles fairly evenly around the area, then fine-tune. Don’t move every piece twice.
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Apply 1-3 inches of mulch over all soil surfaces. Too little won’t suppress weeds or retain moisture.
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Leave at least 2 inches of bare soil around tree trunks and the crowns of plants to prevent rot.
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Rake and smooth mulch to a consistent depth, keeping it 1-2 inches below foundations and borders.
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Compact and tamp newly spread mulch for a polished look that resists washing away.
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Work opposite the grade when spreading on slopes so mulch doesn’t slide downward.
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To prevent soil compaction, avoid excessive travel over unmulched beds. Stand on lawn while mulching beds.
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Add a fresh 1-2 inch mulch layer annually to maintain effectiveness.
With smart techniques and the best tools for the job, mulch application goes from backbreaking to almost fun. Approach each part of the process efficiently. Invest in quality tools you’ll use for years to come. Take the hard labor out of spreading mulch with the right equipment and methods.
Mulch Calculator: How Much Should You Buy
The very first thing you need to do is figure out how much mulch you need to buy to finish the job. You don’t want to find yourself skimping halfway through the project as you watch your mulch supply dwindle. At the same time, you don’t want a mountain of mulch remaining when the job is done. So what’s the formula to determine how much mulch to buy?.
To determine the total square footage of your beds, multiply the length and width of your space. The average step is 2. 5 feet in length, so count the steps of the length and width of your yard. Then, use our formula:
- Number of steps x 2.5 = Total Length
- Number of steps x 2.5 = Total Width
- Total Width x Total Length = Square Footage
Once you know how big your space is in square feet, you can figure out how many bags or scoops of mulch you will need.
- To find how many 2 cubic foot bags you need for a 2″ thick layer of mulch, divide the square footage by 12.
- To find how many 3 cubic foot bags you need for a 2″ thick layer of mulch, divide the square footage by 18.
- How many scoops of bulk mulch are needed for a 2-inch thick layer? Square Footage / 128
When To Lay Down Mulch
There are two times of year best suited for spreading mulch. It’s good to add mulch in the spring because the rain breaks down the organic materials in the mulch, which then works its way into the soil. It will also give your landscaping a fresh, clean look throughout the spring and summer. Adding mulch to your plants in the fall is also good for them because it gives them extra warmth during the winter.
No matter what time of year it is, you should mulch when the ground is still wet but no longer frozen. Additionally, you might want to choose a day following a particularly rainy period. The mulch you apply will help to seal in the moisture.
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