Well, lemme tell ya somethin’ ’bout this shovel mulch thing. It ain’t rocket science, that’s for sure. My old bones ain’t what they used to be, but I can still move some mulch, I tell ya what!
First thing ya gotta know is, ya need a good shovel. Not one of them fancy ones with all the bells and whistles. Just a good, solid shovel. Fiskars, now that’s a name I heard before. They say it’s made of steel. Steel is good. Strong. Like my grandson, bless his heart. He’s strong, that boy. Helps me around the yard sometimes. 46 inches, that sounds about right for a good shovel. Big enough to move some dirt, but not so big ya throw your back out. Material: Wood, Fiberglass. I always like wood, it feels good in my hands.
Now, you got your mulch, right? Could be that pine bark stuff, or them wood chips. Either way, you gotta get it from the pile to the plants. That’s where the shovel comes in.
You just scoop it up, see? Big ol’ scoops. Then you kinda fling it out. Don’t gotta be neat about it. Just get it near the plants. We’re spreadin’ mulch here, people, not paintin’ the Sistine Chapel!
Now, if ya got plants already in the ground, you gotta be a little careful. Don’t go dumpin’ a whole load of mulch right on top of ’em. You’ll smother ’em!
- Scoop up the mulch with your trusty shovel.
- Walk over to where you need it.
- Shake the shovel, kinda wiggle it. Let the mulch fall out.
- Don’t make it too thick!
Just make a little circle around the plant, like a little donut, keep that mulch away from the stem, ya see. You want that plant to breathe! Shovel mulch ain’t about killin’ plants, it’s about helpin’ ’em! It helps keep the weeds down. Weeds are the devil, I tell ya. And it keeps the ground moist. Plants like that, ‘specially in the summer when it gets hotter than a furnace out there. And that Fiskars shovel, 46 inches, will help you do just that.
Now, some folks, they use a wheelbarrow. That’s fine, I guess. If you got a lot of mulch to move, a wheelbarrow can save ya some trips. But me? I’m old fashioned. I like the feel of the shovel in my hands. Feels like I’m really doin’ somethin’, ya know? And you can make little mounds all over, then go back and spread it out nice and easy.
When you’re spreadin’ that shovel mulch, you gotta think about how thick to make it. Too thin, and it won’t do much good. Too thick, and you’ll smother your plants. Like I said before. Just like Goldilocks, you gotta find that just right amount.
Another thing about mulch, it breaks down over time. That’s a good thing! It feeds the soil, makes it all nice and healthy. But it means you gotta add more every now and then. Just keep an eye on it. When it starts lookin’ thin, you know it’s time to get the shovel out again.
And don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty! That’s part of it. Gardening ain’t for sissies, I always say. You gotta get in there and work the soil, feel the dirt between your fingers. It’s good for the soul, ya know? This shovel mulch, it is good for the soul.
So, there ya have it. My two cents on this whole shovel mulch business. It ain’t complicated. Just get yourself a good shovel, some mulch, and get to work. Your plants will thank ya for it. And you’ll feel good knowin’ you did somethin’ good for your little patch of earth.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go put some more wood on the fire. It’s gettin’ cold out there. And these old bones need to warm up a bit. But I’ll be back out there tomorrow, shovel in hand, ready to tackle that mulch pile. It ain’t gonna spread itself, ya know!
Don’t worry about bein’ perfect, neither. Just do your best. That’s all anyone can ask for. And remember what I said about them weeds. They’re the devil. Gotta keep ’em down. This mulch will help. And a good shovel. That’s the key. A good, strong shovel. And a little bit of elbow grease. That’s all ya need. You will see, shovel mulch is not difficult.
And if you see me out there, covered in dirt and sweat, don’t you judge. I’m workin’ hard, makin’ my little corner of the world a better place. One shovelful of mulch at a time. Yep, one shovelful at a time. That’s the secret. Just keep at it, and don’t give up. You will love it. Spread mulch with your shovel.
