To ensure the health and appearance of your garden, it may be wise to remove old mulch. Although it’s true that mulch protects plants and hold moisture in the soil, it can also host diseases, pathogens, fungi, and bacteria that could threaten your plants. Mulch is also ideal for warming the soil during the winter. It is suggested that you remove winter mulch in the spring so plants can grow.
(Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay)
Items You’ll Need
- Edger Tool
- Rake
- Shovel
- Tarp
- Gardening Gloves
- Leaf Blower
Removing The Mulch
The process takes about seven steps. However, it is suggested that you extend the project for several weeks. Ridding the surface of the garden with mulch too quickly can result in shock for the plants.
1. Lift off mulch by hand. Make certain you are wearing gloves because the mulch may be hosting a plethora of diseases, pathogens, fungi, and bacteria. Strip away a little bit of mulch a week. It’s beneficial to perform the removal during overcast days so that the sunlight won’t have a chance to damage the plants.
2. Use the edger to loosen the mulch from the edges of the garden. This can be achieved by simply running the blade of the tool around the perimeter of the garden.
3. Use the rake to break up the mulch into clumps and then form the clumps into piles. Be careful as you rake around plants. Be sure to leave a few inches of space between the rake and the plant stem. Leave as much soil in place as possible.
4. Scoop out the piles of mulch with the shovel and place on a tarp or container.
5. Use your gloved hand to brush mulch away from the base of the plants and then pick up the mulch and deposit on tarp.
6. Use the leaf blower to blow away the little bits of mulch that are hard to pick up. Don’t use the blower too long. It can get hot and cause the soil to dry and blow away.
7. Dispose the old mulch in the trash. If the mulch you are removing was used as a winter cover, then separate the organic elements including straw or chipped leaves and put into a compost pile.
(Source: Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay)
