How to Dig a Trench Between Grass & Mulch

Keeping weeds away from the trees in your yard will keep you from killing the trees with your lawn mower. By creating a circle of mulch around the base of trees, you can keep the weeds away from it, thereby negating the need for the lawn mower up next to the trees. Dig a trench around the mulch circle to act as a barrier that the weeds cannot cross. You can purchase special barriers, but it is cheaper and simpler to dig a trench yourself.

Shovel
Spade
Measuring tape

Instructions

- 1
  Place your shovel in the ground where you want your trench to begin. Make sure the back of the shovel is angled roughly 45 degrees from the ground.
- 2
  Step on the head of the shovel so that it goes straight into the soil about 6 inches. It should cut right through the grass and the roots. Repeat this shovel maneuver right next to the first one, continuing along the entire area that you want to mulch.
- 3
  Go back to the beginning of your trench and repeat the shovel maneuver 6 inches from the first one. You are creating two parallel lines, between which your trench will sit. The shovel should also sit at a 45-degree angle with the shovel angled toward the first line. Continue around the entire mulch area.
- 4
  Dig between your two cut lines with the spade. The trench should be 6 inches deep. Place the dirt and grass in a wheelbarrow for easy removal.

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