Should You Water Before or After Mulching?

There are some things that every gardener is going to do differently, and some things that have a universally accepted way to do them. Which one of those is mulching? Some people argue that mulching can only go one way, that there’s only one way to do it right.

But others argue that mulching doesn’t have a specific way of doing it, you just do it the way you prefer. So, which side of the argument is this article on? That’s for you to decide. After reading this article, you will know one of the many methods you can use to go about mulching your garden.

We will be answering many different questions such as when you should water your mulch and how to go about replacing the mulch in your garden. Now, when exactly should you water? And what are the benefits of doing it this way?

Should You Water Before or After Mulching? 

That is the question. So, what really is the best way to do it? You should definitely water after you’ve placed the mulch because this is how the mulch will lock into place and form a perfect force to fight against weeds.

However, it would be wise to water before as well as after placing your mulch. This is so that you can create a good base to lay the mulch down onto, while also using the water after to lock everything into place.

Now, you may be wondering, how exactly should you go about placing mulch in your garden? We have everything you need to know and more right here.

How Should You Place Mulch?

Now that we know the answer to the big secret of when you should water your mulch, we can dive further into how exactly you should replace the mulch in your garden. Whether you’re a gardening expert reading this for fun or a complete newbie, this article will cover exactly how you should replace the mulch in your garden step-by-step.

We will be going over the step-by-step process of how to place down your mulch. We will also be covering a few little tips that really go a long way in perfecting your garden.

So, without further ado, let’s get right into it. How do you place down new mulch?

Step #1: Shovel Your Mulch

The first thing you’re going to want to do is to prepare your mulch. We can do this by shoveling the mulch into a wheelbarrow or any similar transportation tool. Once you’ve shoveled all the mulch into your wheelbarrow, you can expertly transfer it over to the are you’re going to be working in.

Step #2: Tidy Up

Now, you should have everything you need and are going to work with in the area you’re working in. Once everything is in place and ready to be used, take a moment to tidy up your garden area. Remove any sticks or leaves that are unwanted.

This would also be the time to remove the old mulch. Whether you choose to layer new mulch on top of the old or just completely replace it altogether, this is the time to decide. Regardless of your choice, make sure that you get your area all nice and clean.

Step #3: Water the Beds

Since you have finished preparing the beds by cleaning up the areas necessary, it’s time to add some water. Water the beds now so that they have moisture when you place down the new mulch.

As previously discussed, we will be watering before and after placing the mulch. So go ahead and water the entire area you’re planning on mulching.

Step #4: Remove Weeds

Time to weed! The next step of this process is to get rid of any weeds that may have accumulated this season. Take your time picking out any unwanted growth and weeds. This should be an easier job than if we hadn’t previously watered the area, as everything should be nice and hydrated.

Once you have ensured that you have removed every little weed and unwanted rubble, you can move on to the actual mulching process.

Step #5: Place Down the Mulch

Finally, it’s time to get the mulch down. Shovel some mulch into the necessary areas and pat it down. It’s important that you put the exact right amount. Don’t overload on too much mulch. You should be able to tell how much is suitable for your beds.

Make sure you take the time to pat down the mulch and press it into place a bit more. In a bit, we will be going over some other tips you can use for placing your mulch perfectly. Until then, let’s get to the next and final step.

Step #6: Water After Mulching

Once you have firmly placed down your mulch, it’s time to lock it into place by adding some more water. As previously discussed, use the water to seal in the mulch and (hopefully) prevent any weeds from growing.

On top of that, watering your mulch sort of seals everything. It’s the best thing you can do to prevent your mulch from becoming overgrown with weeds while also looking nice.

Mulch Tips

Now that we have gone over everything there is to know about the process of replacing your mulch, let’s take it a step further. Here, we will be discussing some extra tips and tricks you can use the next time you add mulch to your garden beds.

These tips will ensure that you get everything perfectly right for you and your garden. If you want to know even more gardener’s secrets, read on.

How Thick Should You Leave Your Mulch?

So, we’ve gone over how exactly you should place your mulch, but how smooth do you have to make it, and how thick should it be?

Your mulch should be patted down smoothly and should be around 2-4 inches thick. This way you can ensure that you have thick enough that it will be doing its job.  once you smooth out your mulch take a look at it. How high is it? Should you make it a bit higher?

It’s important to check this type of thing, as not having a thick enough layer of mulch could be detrimental to your garden. Make sure you don’t put too much, but also ensure you have a few inches of mulch to work with.

Leave Space Between the Plants and Mulch

Another helpful tip is to leave a few inches of space between the root of the plant and the mulch. This is to ensure that everything has enough room to properly grow and no mulch is taking up too much space.

Again, it is also important that you smooth down your mulch. After applying the water, the second time, your mulch should be smooth and pristine.

In Conclusion

So, what did we learn today? We learned that the arguably best way to place down mulch is to put down some water before and after placing the mulch. We learned step-by-step how exactly you should prepare your garden beds for your mulch.

We covered everything from the basics of how to place your mulch down, to little tips that can really make a difference in making your garden the best it can be. Whatever method you choose for placing down mulch, hopefully this article served as an educational tool and can help you the next time you’re gardening.

However, when you do decide to water your area before and after placing the mulch, this has shown to have the best results in preventing weeds and overall sealing in the mulch. You want to make sure your mulch is both functional and pleasing to the eye. Hopefully, with this article, you can achieve just that.

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