How to Loosen Up Matted Hardwood Mulch

Mulching plants helps to retain moisture, protects the roots and keeps the soil cool. Over time, many types of hardwood mulch will break down, adding acidity to the soil, which is helpful for many types of plants and shrubs. Certain types of hardwood mulch, like cedar and cypress, may harden into a solid mat, preventing water from penetrating the soil. It's important to work the mulch to keep it loose, so it can continue to benefit to your plants.

Four-prong garden rake
Mini-tiller
Pitch fork
Mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Break apart matted mulch with a stiff-pronged garden rake or a pitchfork.
- 2
  Turn the broken mulch into the top surface of the soil, to help aerate it and add organic material to the earth -- especially if the dirt's composed of a lot of clay.
- 3
  Use a mini-tiller to break apart large areas of matted hardwood mulch, working it into the soil as you would with the rake.
- 4
  Remove the matted mulch entirely, if you cannot break it apart into small pieces.
- 5
  Replace hardwood mulch with a different kind of mulch, to protect your plants and add shade and moisture to the soil. Arborist Dave Leonard recommends adding 3 to 6 inches of mulch to the base of trees and shrubs, to provide the optimal amount of ground cover. Adding too much mulch can prevent proper air exchange.

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