How to Mulch a Garden Bed | Ask This Old House

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows a homeowner how to properly mulch garden beds.
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Shopping List for How to Mulch a Garden Bed:
Bark mulch [amzn.to/2IYJSeB]
Tools List for Mulching a Garden Bed:
Manual edger [amzn.to/2IXV8YO], used to cut new edge along garden bed
Garden rake [amzn.to/2N2CX9F], used to smooth mulch
Shovel [amzn.to/2N0GO75], for removing old mulch
Wheelbarrow [amzn.to/2XzOL7v], for transporting material
Three-tine cultivator [amzn.to/2IUHHZC], used to remove mulch from tree
Bypass pruning shears [amzn.to/2XrlviR], used to trim tree roots
10-tine ensilage fork [amzn.to/2N2U8aW], for moving mulch
Steps for How to Mulch a Garden Bed:
1. Cut a fresh border along the edge of the garden bed with a manual edger.
2. Rake up all the existing mulch to reveal the topsoil.
3. Shovel the excavated mulch, soil, and grass into a wheelbarrow and add it to the compost bin.
4. Use a three-tine cultivator to carefully scrape old mulch from around base of the plants and trees.
5. Use pruning shears to snip away all the secondary root growth from around the tree.
6. Remove all the old mulch from around the tree.
7. Order a truckload of mulch and have it dumped onto the driveway.
8. Fill the wheelbarrow with mulch, and then use an ensilage fork to transfer the mulch to the garden bed.
9. Rake the mulch out to 1 to 2 inches deep. Be careful not to pile mulch up against the base of the plants.
10. Rake the mulch away from the outer edge of the garden bed, so it'll be easier to trim the grass with a string trimmer.
11. Spread an inch of mulch around the base of the tree, keeping it away from the trunk.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Mulch a Garden Bed | Ask This Old House
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[@ericpabon2458]

if you watch these types of videos instead of watching the news, your day will go alot smoother

[@TheBeardedSandman]

I agree. The world could burn down around me but as long as I have a backyard and a garden to work in, I'll be right as rain.

[@jeanettefarmer9705]

Grow bananas from banana

[@happypizza9115]

Agreed.

[@jenniferkim5193]

Hi

[@Curiouzzz750]

True

[@courtneybolte3707]

Greg - it has been 5 years, don't forget to check that tree trunk for root regrowth !

[@tuyenk.nguyen6400]

There will never be Another Roger. He has so much knowledge on garden/landscaping.

[@sammyrance]

Wow the edging, the mulch volcano, the root flare, and so much more. Amazing vid.

[@owensweetland342]

Nice looking house. Roger is a legend. Knows so much. Probably has the best Boston accent too. Lol.

[@clement6574]

Such a genuine guy. I love watching him. I love this vintage USA

[@danielmiller2977]

Wow! Roger, you're incredible. I can't believe what I just learned in 8min 12sec. I love you.

[@sherriianiro747]

Wow! This video really hit home! The people that own the woods adjacent to mine have been dumping tons of wood chips into the forest over the past 10 years and more than 2/3 of the forest is gone - including my trees that bordered theirs and no one seems to care. If someone is making drastic changes to their property it can have adverse effects on yours too.

[@frandanco6361]

They must own a tree cutting service and that is how they get so many chips from chipping tree branches up in the wood chipper.. Yes, it is sad that many people even those that supposedly specialize in things are really bad about the big picture of it.. Hope all that dried wood, etc., never catches fire..

[@sortamad]

i just told my dad i would mulch his gardens with no experience doing this and this is so helpful

[@00BeesKnees00]

Love Roger's accent.

[@QuadTubeChannel]

Found this video extremely useful. Very clear and concise instruction. Much appreciated :)

[@enterthepc8147]

It is so obvious that this guy cares a lot about landscaping and caring for the plants to keep them healthy and happy :) After watching this, I realized everything my parents taught me growing up was wrong. I used a pointed shovel my entire young life mulching and IT SUCKED!!! I wish I had the tool he said and more importantly, his advice!

[@frankmartinez9419]

Very informative. He knows his stuff and you can tell he loves what he does. Thank you good sir. Keep up the great content!

[@tlong2374]

As always, another well done easy to follow video. This old house has been around for many years. Video's like this is the reason why. Thank you...

[@platinumlawnservice]

This guy is one of my favorite human beings. I wish I could learn from him everyday!

[@johnsmith-wd5sq]

Thank you for your Help Roger..May you Rest in Peace.

[@jeffharris2741]

Great job guys! I know this video is over four years old, but I enjoyed watching it! A lot of good pointers there! Subscribed.

[@TheSusan1946]

Thanks so much. I learned so much; mostly all the things that I had done wrong: my mulch was jammed up against the tree trunks.. And, I thought mulch was so great at holding in water, so I put it on top of the soil in my potted plants. WRONG. The mulch kept the moisture in so well that I ended up with root rot. I also heard that too much mulch is a jim-dandy nesting bed for rodents.

[@Josh-fy2sv]

This guy is a fucking genius in every video he makes I wish I had his knowledge in my landscaping business

[@Maxid1]

5:11 Roger said it right there, it's an ensilage fork. It's for moving silage. I guess you can move manure on straw with it but I always used it for silage.

[@MikeM-pk6zq]

Salt the silage

[@tipp0183]

You guys are awesome. I get every little house project motivation from you guys. Thank you.

[@cuervoz28]

I love this brown mulch this is my favorite🤣

[@darylfitz4189]

Good to see Roger back in the game.

[@citrineforme]

I gave a thumbs up just for giving me the tip on that cool tool to do a better job moving the mulch from the pile to the wheel barrow 🤣

[@desertspectre2881]

Setting the flower beds at work this week here in Souther California

[@MultiLisa10]

Guy knows his stuff! Like the accent!

[@gregherman7906]

Amazing video. This man is a hero for new homeowners

[@المهديخاتلبالمجاري]

It is recommended to keep mulch 6 inches away from the foundation to prevent humidity which might cause termite growth.

[@anneann9127]

Love that you didn't use landscape cloth under it. I'm looking for cardboard to go under our mulch. Thanks for the great tips.

[@FEDERALBOYSENTERTAINMENT]

Hey roger I’m hungry when’s a good time to eat 😂

[@TheGreatEscape77]

I dont like mulch. We had alot of bugs around our house, turns out the mulch is where they were thriving! Got rid of it and replaced it with RUBBER mulch instead

[@gwiyeo]

I am so old but dang I enjoy these videos

[@springsunshine8944]

I like the pitch fork...and how you did the mulching...love your show.

[@cuervoz28]

Rodger rocking those timberlands

[@jasonsgroovemachine]

Interesting shovel technique he's got there. Don't usually see overhand on a scoop shovel.

[@Section8Consulting]

That pitch fork is brilliant idea .....

[@alyssabrashear]

This is so scripted but so entertaining and informative

[@ongges20]

Alyssa Brashear just bad acting hahaha. The other needs to be better.

[@CONCERTMANchicago]

Yeah I noticed that after watching it the third time, little awkward but prevented lousy acting. Better getting list of important facts across rather than to technically confusing.

[@justindoan]

"excellent"

[@lockwoan01]

Well, this is useful for me with my strawberry patch, and my mom's garden.

[@keith-kalfas]

Everyday brother. You're awesome I'm about to hit 70k subscribers! Wahoo

[@minutemenlandscaping7387]

Keith Kalfas you da man Keith

[@jross9800]

My favorite part is at the end when Roger throws his hands down and says "it looks great!" Now excuse me I'm going to make myself a margarita

[@joli78363]

Roga wabbit lied to his client saying it look good, thereafter off the scenes Roga stabbed his client with a garden tool.

[@russellmoore8187]

Chingon Limòn what?

[@BruisedASScheeks]

sounds like you were having a good night two years ago lol.

[@susanhull1098]

Who knew?!? Obviously, I didn’t. Thank you so much! I’ve got some work to do. See ya.

[@SkamOneOfficial]

i have no clue why this is in a playlist for Ramirez official Music Videos but sure why not

[@jackieperdomo4532]

I love Roger! I learn so much every time I watch a video. Thank you!

[@pozin05]

Nice edge and mulch job👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@sumahomes-i4i]

Hope I hire you as my Gardner ! Good job

[@heroknaderi]

Solid video 💪😎

[@Ddom1794]

The “one” thing you did right lol

[@YOUCANDOIT-uw5qq]

I this this guys Chuck Norris man someone that knows what they are talking about 🙌🏽

[@jb60135]

Roger is the plant whisperer

[@shawnkoby6901]

Excellent, Roger.

[@JesusIsLoveTR]

This was extremely informative! Thank you very much!

[@dalkhal]

JesusIsLoveTR very mulch

[@JesusIsLoveTR]

dalkhal 🤣😉

[@kobelcofan]

I actually really like a plastic snow shovel for mulch works really good.

[@andersonwilkins5971]

I wish we could have seen it at the end 😁

[@theworldsmostdangerous7994]

i love landscaping

[@petermills1994]

I love it to good bro

[@MultiLisa10]

Well then come down and do ky landscaping!😁

[@benfrankog6111]

Same here. Love working outside

[@deanslegos1990]

2:12 cameraman holding back rage

[@Bigginzz]

SAREY PARDNER

[@Mackandal-]

Great tips! Thank you so very mulch! 😂

[@PRich-ph9ue]

Great video. About to start landscaping my yard in a couple weeks, but wanted to know why didn't they put down any plastic to prevent weeds and grass from growing through overtime?

[@ajbowers44]

Either he loves to weed or he’s going to use a pre emergent week killer.

[@easygalleryframes]

roots need air.

[@skippymagrue]

If you put plastic, the plants don't get water.

[@gnarrlos4392]

My favorite Ramirez music video

[@sonikku956]

Same here.

[@shutyoassup8377]

What my company does is that we take dump trucks to take the old mulch then with the wheel barrow we dump small piles then another workers spread it out

[@lovebug7]

Love this video these guyz straight down to business! Instead of saying they have a bachelors and went to university of so and so for horticulture like that cocky bald man who cares where you went to a university

[@aceofspadeslandscapelesson8219]

Lovebug7 maybe because that bald guy knows what he’s talking about? Having a degree in horticulture isn’t a bad thing when it comes to landscaping. This video is terrible, these guys don’t know what they’re doing. Removing soil from a bed is an old practice that’s been proven detrimental to soil science decades ago.

[@milfordcivic6755]

There's so many terrible landscapers around here in New England that make mulch volcanoes on each of their client's properties. A condo development up the road from me has mulch that must be over 6" deep!

[@easygalleryframes]

notice how golf courses NEVER mulch their trees? they don’t want to be replacing their trees in a decade.

[@easygalleryframes]

I’ve watched foolish over-mulching kill way too many street trees in DuPage County. 59th street in Westmont IL: 100 dead/dying trees in less than 3 yrs.

[@tom3fitzgerald]

"My wheelbarrow is full what do I do?" "Go dump it around back" "Ok, thanks" Rodger was not happy about that tree volcano. No sir.

[@venividivici4253]

Tom Fitzgerald Lmao. I don’t have the backyaad space for a compost pile.

[@CONCERTMANchicago]

Just don't go dump it under some other tree. All the years we thought best place for dumping leftover soil, was always at the base of nearest Tree. Until it ended up killing them, only learning that lesson the hard way. We can't force-feed trees mulch or soil, they're literally drown in it!

[@colonelkfc33]

Me: Roger, do I dump it in the street. Roger: Not if you wahnt to be visited by the authorities. Go ahead and dump it out back in the compost pile. Me: Roger can I dump it in the neighbor's yard? Roger: NO! COMPOST PILE! Me: Roger, can I just throw it in the trash can? Roger: (Hits me over the head with his shovel and throws me in the compost pile)

[@laurastone6578]

Go dump it in the back and then go run around the block 3 times!

[@ejackson7281]

What is the best type of mulch to put around the tree in my front yard ? Thanks for the answer.

[@fredrubble4305]

I wonder if Roger and the homeowner are going to re-check the tree roots every 5-10 years?

[@donnamarie4443]

I hate mulch👎. Great upload👍.

[@theironquack]

why is this in the Ramirez music video playlist lmao

[@kennyguevara6277]

LMAOO tell me why I was trippin tell I seen this comment

[@MindfulMusic]

"Excellent." My guy sounds like a robot complying to everything.

[@davidrogowski9898]

Yup. The producers probably told him to. They have a strict budget of time and money, and every word he says makes it go up.

[@invisiblerevolution]

Out here in the Philadelphia area.... you seee MULCH VOLCANOS around every other tree.

[@jonathanjones691]

While your watching this excellent video, take a shot everytime Roger says Mulch.

[@TheSomeone2009]

How is the soil so free-flowing and workable? Around our house, the soil is compact and very hard to work with. Makes it a heck of a workout to edge or do just about anything. Anything I can do to loosen it up?

[@Ajdero5]

I use a pitchfork like that to remove/pick up old roof shingles

[@Tryinglittleleg]

The mulch volcano's can also cause crown rot

[@XxTR1CELLxX]

I feel like they should have done the edge after they removed the mulch.

[@-John-Doe-]

XxTR1CELLxX No way. Edge the bed and it’s already clear. Have your guys scoop that right out with the mulch. Preen it, spread it, and you’re done. There’s no reason to have your guys come back and do it all again.

[@nickschuyler]

The sod still has to disappear - so many viable grass seeds in topsoil... Not being snarky, just taking his side and saying (possibly) why e did it that way.

[@PlayingwithPawz]

Yah but then you have to go back and remove that little bit of grass he talked about after you already cleared the bed of mulch he probably did it that way to save time for the show

[@jamedlock83]

If I ever buy a house, i'm cutting down the trees, and all the bushes, etc. . .The easier it is to mow, the better for me.

[@elycasinillo5047]

Part of his videos that his speciality..

[@cdmanor777]

So, since I don't have a green thumb, I'm actually going to place some silk flowers around some of the real shrubberies. I was told that I should put some weed barrier down before I put the mulch. I don't see too many videos of people using weed barriers. What's your recommendation? Thank you for sharing this video.

[@johns9940]

Holy the mulch volcano was a scary situation!

[@CuidandodoJardim]

Good job.

[@SamBrickell]

He must have really liked adding mulch.

[@harrisond8132]

Sweet house.

[@dansanger5340]

Nice job. Personally, I prefer the chunky stuff because it takes longer to break down.

[@deepteshagrawal]

will you put weed mat?

[@Crazyafrican]

awesome garden and house

[@fafastephen-gow2644]

Thanks for so much invaluable insights. You must have been a teacher sometime ago. Right? I bet.

[@DaveMoore99]

no weed barrier? I need to tackle this project at my house in the coming year and my current beds have weed barrier in them. Wondering if I should replace them or just get rid of them. My beds still have a ton of weeds anyway!

[@erinschaefer5505]

I've heard putting cardboard down first is the best choice. It breaks down slowly, allows the soil to breathe and lets good microbes grow. The fabric can suffocate the soil.

[@mikeockburning7754]

2:00 that's what she said

[@syedquadri4902]

Roger Roger!!

[@MrFrozensmoke]

Mulch next to the house promotes termites, few inches cures that.

[@laurastone6578]

Okay, WHAT kind of mulch was that and WHERE can I buy it? It looked really shredded without the big hunks of wood that I find in the mulch I have purchased in the past!

[@CleverGirlAAH]

Try some local plant nurseries, not the big box stores.

[@Techprone1]

Look ovah heah !! Get the edgah!

[@J0hnny0]

4:43 "Check it in 5 to 10 years". Why rush into anything???

[@ToutCQJM]

John Orlowski I loved that part. I’ll be waiting for the follow-up video.

[@c31979839]

Landscaping and gardening is a slow process. You always have to wait at least 2 years before you can expect any results from your labour.

[@J0hnny0]

@@c31979839 That was a joke Mr. Literal

[@nafnaf0]

AKA "Not my problem"

[@CONCERTMANchicago]

As long as trunk is not up to its neck again in old mulch, it's impossible for strangling root roller coaster to get that high above ground again. I'm an arborist that gets paid to do trunk flair excavations. But the tip check every 5 or 10 years is spot-on, since any wayward roots growing back paralleling trunk are still manageable with a little Pruning. But waiting too long and letting them get bigger, by then it's too late to rescue tree once noticing decline. Remember all roots should be straight outbound from trunk.

[@TheDiolulaLife]

I’m thinking about putting either mulch or larger bark down, will this be problematic as I have a lot of trees with leaves that fall, can I take my blower to that or should I just go with river rock or something bigger? Thank you all

[@frandanco6361]

Rod Dioula -- I would just keep all the leaves there around the tree, gently dig them into the soil, being careful to not damage the tree roots too much, and keep them damp from time to time, until it rains, etc., and they will break down beautifully into the exact food the tree can use to feed itself and grow like crazy.. This alone will really help improve the soil structure if it needs it and for sure, will eliminate you from having to shove all that tree food into the can and take it out once a week all fall and winter long, etc... I had some beautiful, huge, 175 foot tall maples in my back yard that dropped down huge maple leaves every fall, and I just cut them all up with the lawn mower, to speed up the process and the entire huge yard got black compost from those composted leaves alone and everything grew great!

[@hermitlife243]

What do you do with all the extra

[@keansalzer8364]

Would you add another layer or two of mulch if this house was in Phoenix?

[@jeffe.1586]

How do you pick houses to do a "make over" ??? I purchased a 2 1/2 story home that needs work outside and I need to replace 30 single pane windows. HELP ME !!!!!

[@sharonhendricks1928]

Wish he had said what that "brown mulch" is. I don't like using dyed mulches, especially if it's made from pallets to begin with.

[@derricdueker64]

Roger that!!!☺😀☺😀☺

[@paulieshah]

I need to know I just put the new mulch removed the old one too but within next few days all kinds of weeds comings up kindly let me know what should I do now .

[@MiMi1528]

Great info.... Thanks! ♥️