How to Mulch a Garden Bed | Ask This Old House

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  • čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
  • This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows a homeowner how to properly mulch garden beds.
    SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/Subscrib...
    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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Komentáře • 394

  • @ericpabon2458
    @ericpabon2458 Před 4 lety +396

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

  • @courtneybolte3707
    @courtneybolte3707 Před 3 lety +62

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

  • @tuyenk.nguyen6400
    @tuyenk.nguyen6400 Před 2 lety +1

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

  • @sammyrance
    @sammyrance Před 7 lety +166

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

  • @johnsmith-wd5sq
    @johnsmith-wd5sq Před 13 dny

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

  • @clement6574
    @clement6574 Před 3 lety +1

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

  • @sherriianiro747
    @sherriianiro747 Před 5 lety +4

    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
      @frandanco6361 Před 5 lety

      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..

  • @theironquack
    @theironquack Před 3 lety +3

    why is this in the Ramirez music video playlist lmao

    • @kennyguevara6277
      @kennyguevara6277 Před 2 lety

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

  • @danielmiller2977
    @danielmiller2977 Před 6 lety +8

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

  • @00BeesKnees00
    @00BeesKnees00 Před 3 lety +2

    Love Roger's accent.

  • @owensweetland342
    @owensweetland342 Před 2 lety +2

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

  • @user-wc2ho7im7j
    @user-wc2ho7im7j Před 2 lety +6

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

  • @sortamad
    @sortamad Před 2 měsíci

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

  • @frankmartinez9419
    @frankmartinez9419 Před 4 lety +10

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

  • @cuervoz28
    @cuervoz28 Před 3 lety +3

    I love this brown mulch this is my favorite🤣

  • @QuadTubeChannel
    @QuadTubeChannel Před 5 lety +12

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

  • @Josh-fy2sv
    @Josh-fy2sv Před 6 lety +1

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

  • @platinumlawnservice
    @platinumlawnservice Před 5 lety +2

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

  • @enterthepc8147
    @enterthepc8147 Před 4 lety

    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!

  • @tlong2374
    @tlong2374 Před 7 lety +25

    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...

  • @MultiLisa10
    @MultiLisa10 Před 5 lety +5

    Guy knows his stuff! Like the accent!

  • @Maxid1
    @Maxid1 Před 8 lety +10

    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.

  • @darylfitz4189
    @darylfitz4189 Před 4 lety

    Good to see Roger back in the game.

  • @gnarrlos4392
    @gnarrlos4392 Před 4 lety +4

    My favorite Ramirez music video

  • @justindoan
    @justindoan Před 8 lety +70

    "excellent"

  • @jeffharris2741
    @jeffharris2741 Před 4 lety +4

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

  • @gregherman7906
    @gregherman7906 Před 4 lety +1

    Amazing video. This man is a hero for new homeowners

  • @Section8Consulting
    @Section8Consulting Před 5 lety +2

    That pitch fork is brilliant idea .....

  • @Ddom1794
    @Ddom1794 Před 5 lety +87

    The “one” thing you did right lol

  • @tipp0183
    @tipp0183 Před 7 lety +7

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

  • @FEDERALBOYSENTERTAINMENT
    @FEDERALBOYSENTERTAINMENT Před 3 lety +9

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

  • @alyssabrashear
    @alyssabrashear Před 5 lety +89

    This is so scripted but so entertaining and informative

    • @ongges20
      @ongges20 Před 5 lety +6

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

    • @CONCERTMANchicago
      @CONCERTMANchicago Před 4 lety +3

      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.

  • @anneann9127
    @anneann9127 Před 3 lety +1

    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.

  • @TheSusan1946
    @TheSusan1946 Před 2 lety

    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.

  • @gwiyeo
    @gwiyeo Před 4 lety

    I am so old
    but dang I enjoy these videos

  • @susanhull1098
    @susanhull1098 Před 6 lety +7

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

  • @theworldsmostdangerous7994
    @theworldsmostdangerous7994 Před 7 lety +31

    i love landscaping

  • @lockwoan01
    @lockwoan01 Před 7 lety +5

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

  • @desertspectre2881
    @desertspectre2881 Před rokem

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

  • @deanslegos1990
    @deanslegos1990 Před 4 lety +10

    2:12 cameraman holding back rage

  • @jb60135
    @jb60135 Před 4 lety

    Roger is the plant whisperer

  • @cuervoz28
    @cuervoz28 Před 3 lety

    Rodger rocking those timberlands

  • @springsunshine8944
    @springsunshine8944 Před 3 lety

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

  • @citrineforme
    @citrineforme Před 2 lety

    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 🤣

  • @MindfulMusic
    @MindfulMusic Před 3 lety +11

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

    • @davidrogowski9898
      @davidrogowski9898 Před 3 lety

      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.

  • @elycasinillo5047
    @elycasinillo5047 Před 6 lety +2

    Part of his videos that his speciality..

  • @jross9800
    @jross9800 Před 7 lety +13

    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
      @joli78363 Před 5 lety

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

    • @russellmoore8187
      @russellmoore8187 Před 5 lety

      Chingon Limòn what?

    • @BruisedASScheeks
      @BruisedASScheeks Před 5 lety +1

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

  • @fredrubble4305
    @fredrubble4305 Před 5 lety +49

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

  • @milfordcivic6755
    @milfordcivic6755 Před 6 lety +9

    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
      @easygalleryframes Před 4 lety

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

    • @easygalleryframes
      @easygalleryframes Před 4 lety +1

      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.

  • @jasonsgroovemachine
    @jasonsgroovemachine Před rokem

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

  • @shutyoassup8377
    @shutyoassup8377 Před 4 lety

    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

  • @SamBrickell
    @SamBrickell Před 4 lety +1

    He must have really liked adding mulch.

  • @johns9940
    @johns9940 Před 5 lety +1

    Holy the mulch volcano was a scary situation!

  • @Mackandal-
    @Mackandal- Před 5 lety +5

    Great tips! Thank you so very mulch! 😂

  • @JesusIsLoveTR
    @JesusIsLoveTR Před 5 lety +7

    This was extremely informative! Thank you very much!

  • @jackieperdomo4532
    @jackieperdomo4532 Před 6 lety +1

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

  • @TheGreatEscape77
    @TheGreatEscape77 Před rokem +1

    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

  • @keith-kalfas
    @keith-kalfas Před 5 lety +7

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

  • @pozin05
    @pozin05 Před 4 lety

    Nice edge and mulch job👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

  • @kobelcofan
    @kobelcofan Před 2 lety

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

  • @Tryinglittleleg
    @Tryinglittleleg Před 8 lety +10

    The mulch volcano's can also cause crown rot

  • @jonogallicchio4990
    @jonogallicchio4990 Před 3 lety

    Time to check the tree roots

  • @shawnkoby6901
    @shawnkoby6901 Před rokem

    Excellent, Roger.

  • @PRich-ph9ue
    @PRich-ph9ue Před 5 lety +4

    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
      @ajbowers44 Před 5 lety

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

    • @easygalleryframes
      @easygalleryframes Před 4 lety +4

      roots need air.

    • @skippymagrue
      @skippymagrue Před 4 lety +5

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

  • @MrFrozensmoke
    @MrFrozensmoke Před 5 lety

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

  • @Ajdero5
    @Ajdero5 Před 8 lety +1

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

  • @frankdaiello2449
    @frankdaiello2449 Před 5 lety +3

    “Excellent”

  • @sharonhendricks1928
    @sharonhendricks1928 Před 7 lety +2

    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.

  • @jamedlock83
    @jamedlock83 Před 2 lety

    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.

  • @jonathanjones691
    @jonathanjones691 Před 5 lety

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

  • @lovebug7
    @lovebug7 Před 7 lety

    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
      @aceofspadeslandscapelesson8219 Před 6 lety

      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.

  • @YOUCANDOIT-uw5qq
    @YOUCANDOIT-uw5qq Před 2 lety

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

  • @Techprone1
    @Techprone1 Před 2 lety

    Look ovah heah !! Get the edgah!

  • @CuidandodoJardim
    @CuidandodoJardim Před 5 lety +1

    Good job.

  • @tom3fitzgerald
    @tom3fitzgerald Před 5 lety +164

    "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
      @venividivici4253 Před 4 lety +5

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

    • @CONCERTMANchicago
      @CONCERTMANchicago Před 4 lety +1

      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
      @colonelkfc33 Před 4 lety +4

      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
      @laurastone6578 Před 3 lety

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

  • @mikeockburning7754
    @mikeockburning7754 Před 5 lety +34

    2:00 that's what she said

  • @XxTR1CELLxX
    @XxTR1CELLxX Před 7 lety +61

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

    • @-John-Doe-
      @-John-Doe- Před 6 lety +9

      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
      @nickschuyler Před 5 lety

      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
      @PlayingwithPawz Před 4 lety

      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

  • @fayrayrita2223
    @fayrayrita2223 Před 5 lety +1

    I've been a landscaper for 20 years. Roger does a nice job and knows his stuff but I would use a steel spade instead of that half moon thing and smooth out mulch w backside of rake. But it was such a small area was no need. Smoothed it out by hand

  • @andersonwilkins5971
    @andersonwilkins5971 Před 2 lety

    I wish we could have seen it at the end 😁

  • @SkamOneOfficial
    @SkamOneOfficial Před 2 lety

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

  • @invisiblerevolution
    @invisiblerevolution Před 2 lety

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

  • @harrisond8132
    @harrisond8132 Před rokem

    Sweet house.

  • @syedquadri4902
    @syedquadri4902 Před 4 lety

    Roger Roger!!

  • @ChrisS310
    @ChrisS310 Před 5 lety

    Excellent

  • @dansanger5340
    @dansanger5340 Před 2 lety

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

  • @albinorhino1313
    @albinorhino1313 Před 4 lety +1

    Black mulch would have looked better, matching the shutters

  • @rasra9957
    @rasra9957 Před 5 lety +1

    I never watched radger but i do now and he thow 👇

  • @DDWES
    @DDWES Před 4 lety +5

    “It looks great” while looking at the state of that edging 😂

  • @laurastone6578
    @laurastone6578 Před 3 lety +1

    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
      @CleverGirlAAH Před 2 lety

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

  • @sumahomes8177
    @sumahomes8177 Před rokem

    Hope I hire you as my Gardner ! Good job

  • @OscarM.94
    @OscarM.94 Před 4 lety

    Very helpful

  • @LaFranceBonjour
    @LaFranceBonjour Před 5 lety +1

    Im happy to live in a tropical climate. I dont have to worry about mulching and replanting every spring. Plants like Bromeliads and palm grass and heliconias and Chinese evergreen etc grow with no care needed except watering sometimes.

  • @J0hnny0
    @J0hnny0 Před 5 lety +63

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

    • @ToutCQJM
      @ToutCQJM Před 5 lety +13

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

    • @c31979839
      @c31979839 Před 5 lety +8

      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
      @J0hnny0 Před 5 lety +1

      @@c31979839 That was a joke Mr. Literal

    • @nafnaf0
      @nafnaf0 Před 4 lety

      AKA "Not my problem"

    • @CONCERTMANchicago
      @CONCERTMANchicago Před 4 lety

      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.

  • @jzizzles7799
    @jzizzles7799 Před 5 lety +6

    lol. the homeowner destroyed the edging. Luckily he's not OCD.

  • @Crazyafrican
    @Crazyafrican Před 5 lety

    awesome garden and house

  • @curtisballer
    @curtisballer Před 3 lety +1

    nobody:
    Roger: -but before we do that.

  • @kerrlawson7134
    @kerrlawson7134 Před 5 lety +1

    Just waiting for ted and mark whalberg to appear with a bong and a bag of topsoil.....

  • @paulschab8152
    @paulschab8152 Před 7 lety

    I always just use a straight spade shovel to edge my landscaping when my big rocks that border the beds start to sink every couple years. I am guilty of flicking the grass back in the beds. Having said that, I have never really had grass grow in the beds. I get stupid chives or onions whatever they are.

    • @pshiel
      @pshiel Před 5 lety

      I purposly sprinkle chives all over for their purple flowers xD

  • @dangernoodle8376
    @dangernoodle8376 Před 6 lety +172

    Imagine is this guy swore like Gordon Ramsey

    • @jackieperdomo4532
      @jackieperdomo4532 Před 6 lety +6

      Dev Patel that would be badass!!! Roger to me is more like bob Ross.

    • @joaquinR1stargate
      @joaquinR1stargate Před 6 lety +1

      LMAO!!

    • @kerrlawson7134
      @kerrlawson7134 Před 5 lety +2

      Certainly glad you could join us today.....let’s grab a shovel and beat the devil out of it.....

    • @devo076
      @devo076 Před 5 lety +8

      DERE'S TOO MUCH MULCH ERE YA DAWNKEY!

    • @irish89055
      @irish89055 Před 4 lety

      I bet he does off camera...

  • @totalbliss1
    @totalbliss1 Před 8 lety +4

    Excellent!