Alright, folks, let’s talk about something that’s been on my mind lately: shovels. Yeah, you heard me right, shovels. Specifically, the best kind of shovel for when you’re dealing with a mountain of mulch.
So, picture this: I decided to give my garden a little makeover. You know, spruce things up a bit. And what’s the first step in any good garden makeover? Mulch, and lots of it. I ordered a big ol’ pile of mulch, thinking, “No problem, I’ve got this.” Boy, was I in for a surprise.

First off, I grabbed my trusty old shovel, the one I use for just about everything in the garden. It’s a good shovel, don’t get me wrong, but it’s more of a digging kind of shovel. You know, the pointy kind. Well, let me tell you, trying to scoop up mulch with a pointy shovel is like trying to eat soup with a fork. It just doesn’t work. The mulch kept falling off the sides, and I was barely making a dent in the pile.
After about an hour of struggling, I was getting nowhere fast. My back was starting to ache, my hands were getting blisters, and I was pretty sure I had more mulch on me than in the wheelbarrow. That’s when I realized I needed a different approach. I needed a different shovel.
I started doing a little research, you know, the usual internet search. Turns out, there’s a whole world of shovels out there, each with its own special purpose. And for mulch, you want what’s called a scoop shovel or a mulch shovel. These shovels have a wide, flat blade with raised sides, perfect for scooping up large amounts of loose material like mulch, wood chips, or even snow.
So, the next day, I went to the hardware store and picked up a proper mulch shovel. I have to say, It was a game-changer. I could scoop up a huge amount of mulch with each lift, and the raised sides kept everything contained. It was like night and day compared to my old shovel. And there are various kinds of mulch shovels in the hardware store, like ones with a wooden handle and others with a D-shaped handle. There’s even one kind of shovel that has holes on the shovel head, which is more suitable for scooping up small stones, but I got a normal one.
I was able to finish the job in half the time, and with a lot less effort. My back thanked me, my hands thanked me, and my garden looked pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.
So, the lesson here, folks, is that having the right tool for the job makes all the difference. And when it comes to mulch, a dedicated mulch shovel is definitely the way to go. Trust me, your back will thank you for it.
- Get a proper mulch shovel.
- Admire your beautifully mulched garden.
- Avoid using a pointy shovel.
Key Takeaways
A mulch shovel, also known as a scoop shovel, has a wide, flat blade with raised sides. A digging shovel is pointy and not ideal for mulch. Using the right tool saves time and effort.

And that’s all. I hope my sharing can help you. See you next time!