Common Mulching Tools for your Lawn

Compost Bin 

It is a plastic container where you can place numerous organic materials to decompose. A compost bin helps create a nutrient-rich and suitable mulching material for your yard. As it decomposes, it gains weed prevention and water retention properties. It also increases the earthworm activities and offers several nutrients to plant roots and soil on your lawn. 

Several compost bins are available online, and you can shop as per your requirements. Also, you have the choice of making it at home. However, regardless of your choice, it should have some key features. It should be durable, easy to clean, have no or minimal environmental impact, and have no odor. 

Some compost friendly materials you can place in the compost bin include fruits, fallen leaves, wood chips, vegetable scraps, grass clippings, sawdust, and coffee grounds, to name a few. A good compost bin helps produce quality compost, which can positively impact your lawn soil.

Mulching Mower 

The next tool is a mulching mower. It is a machine with a mowing deck and blade designed to chop the grass several times. Using side-discharge mowers can help in directing the grass to the side. You can also attach a bag that collects the grass clippings. 

These mowers help cater finely cut grass cuttings that offer shade and fertilizer for the soil. This activity in lawns is known as mulch mowing. When using a mulching mower, you need to keep a few tips in mind. Avoid mowing when the soil is wet; mow frequently and at a certain height. 

A mulching mower offers several benefits. You do not require any cumbersome bag while using it; hence you do not have to worry about disposing of grass clippings. You can mow and fertilize simultaneously, and lastly, you do not have to worry about putting moisture and nutrients into the landfill. 

Leaf Shredders

A leaf shredder, also known as a leaf mulcher, is a powered tool with specially designed blades. These blades are designed to tear the leaves into tiny pieces. You can now use these shredded leaves for mulching or place them in a compost pile. It is a convenient tool for people who have large-sized lawns with trees.

Fallen leaves contribute an excellent mulching material. A leaf shredder helps chop the leaves and even speeds up the decomposition process. Experts recommend using fallen trees in lawns with flower beds, shrubs and trees. Dry leaves are put inside the shredder for better results, as wet leaves can clog the blades. 

If you are raking big leaves, you need a leaf shredder as it allows you to use these valuable organic materials for mulching. A leaf shredder is an important tool for lawn owners who do not wish to use mulching blades on their mower. It is also for people who want to speed up the decomposition process of the leaves.

Wood Chippers

Wood chippers are powered tools that help chip the tree trunks, branches, twigs and leaves. It helps get rid of the large size woods found in your yard. You can always get in-house wood chips if you have trees in your lawn. The resulting mulch with wood chippers is effective as it gives a good outcome. 

Using a wood chipper offers several benefits. It quickly gets rid of unwanted wastes without any mess and saves time and energy. It offers an environment-friendly solution for lawn owners and produces useful material. Lastly, it is a profitable solution in the long run.

Shovels 

A shovel is an important hand tool used for mulching. It is used for digging and moving materials within the yard. The blades of the shovel are powerful, made of hard plastic or sheet steel. The handles of shovels are wooden or glass-reinforced plastic like fiberglass. 

Using mulch shovels helps move mulch materials, including wood chips, sawdust and pebbles. Sometimes, it is also used to lose straw mulch. For fine mulch like dry sawdust or needles, you can use a large scoop shovel for quick results. 

Rakes 

Rakes are an important tool used for spreading much. There are different rakes; however, the sturdy bow rake is the most suitable one that helps spread the mulch. These types are known to have sturdy and short tines, which are often three inches long. 

Leaf rakes are only used to move the fluffiest mulches. Bow rakes have small sizes and sturdy tines of three inches in length. It helps you gain precision and strength and measure the mulch layer depth. 

Rakes are used to transfer mulch in the garden. For this tool’s effective use, handling small piles of mulch can help add one big pile in the yard. This technique helps in spreading the mulch with great ease.

Gardening Gloves 

Gardening gloves are an essential tool you need for mulching activities. It guards your hands and fingers apart from keeping them clean. It also helps in preventing scratches and scrapes. If you want to use a good pair of gardening gloves for mulching, consider using rubber or leather padded gardening gloves. These are effective for handling wood mulch. It gives you good protection. 

Gardening gloves are available in different styles and sizes. The cloth gloves are primarily used for planting purposes. However, for mulching activities, the above-said gloves suit you the best. Make sure you test the pair before procuring it. Gardening gloves are also used to handle the wet soils and pull weeds in your yard. 

Hoe

A hoe is an important tool for mulching and other gardening activities. It helps the mulch to remain under the gardening shed. Hoes help get rid of the stubborn weeds, which is one of the critical steps while installing mulch in any new area. The wood mulch offers a natural division and prevents new growth. 

Before mulching, you should completely remove the weeds from the yard. It helps prevent the spread of roots and enables you to put less labor and time into weed control in the coming weeks. Hoes are found in different head shapes and sizes and have remained the oldest tool for landscaping projects.

Wheelbarrow

A wheelbarrow, also known as a garden cart, is an essential tool in your garden. The bulk wood mulch users mostly use it. A good quality wheelbarrow can help you transport the mulch from one place to another without hassle.

The ideal garden cart for gardeners is the one with a 600 lb capacity. Consider the one with a 36 x 20″ tub, preferably polyethylene plastic. It makes the wheelbarrow tub durable and also very light to work. It has four pneumatic tires, which allow easy rolling over terrain.

What are the things to consider when buying a Mulching Tool?

The following points will help you in choosing the right mulching tool as per your requirements: 

While buying a wheelbarrow, check the material first. These are usually made of steel or plastic. The steel wheelbarrows are strong and sturdy, but it requires strength to use these garden carts. The plastic wheelbarrows are lighter and easier to use apart from being inexpensive. The type of material you choose mostly depends upon your requirement. 

Similarly, before buying shovels, check the material of the handle, its length, and the shovel blade’s material. It is made of polypropylene, aluminum or any other metal. The aluminum-based shovels are light and easy to use; however, they are not long-lasting and can break easily. The metal-based shovels are strong and sturdy but can be heavier than aluminum shovels. 

Before buying a rake, check its handle, head, durability, weight, and ease of assembling. A good quality rake is known for its heavy-duty construction and ergonomic no-slip handle. Take your time to explore the top shopping sites to find out the right rake for mulching activities. You can explore more garden tools here. 

When is the best time to buy Mulching Tools?

The best time to get them is before you need the tools in your yard for your landscape maintenance and care activities. It means you should be able to complete all your DIY mulching activities without hassle. Start researching for the right set of mulching tools before you enter spring. However, if you plan to mulch during the fall, consider buying the tools in the early fall. 

In conclusion, if you are committed to installing quality mulch in your garden, you need to get the required mulching tools, such as mulching mower, leaf shredders, wood chippers, shovels, and rakes, to name a few. 

These tools in your yard can help you take up the mulching activity as and when you plan. If you do not have all the tools, you can seek the help of a professional landscape contractor like Eden. It offers a wide range of mulch materials and offers quality installation services.