Mulch spreading in Exeter
Professional mulch spreading services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Mulch spread evenly around your garden beds and borders. Proper depth, clean edges, and all the barrow work done for you - your plants get the benefits without you getting the backache.
The Mulch Mountain In Your Driveway
You've done the sensible thing and bought mulch in bulk. Maybe it's a cubic metre of bark chippings that looked reasonable on the website but now resembles a small mountain blocking your car in. Or twelve giant bags that need shifting before the delivery lorry comes back.
This is where I come in.
💡 Pro tip: Mulch in spring (locks in winter moisture) or autumn (protects roots over winter). Mid-summer mulching is hard work and less effective.
More Than Just Dumping Bark About
Anyone can tip a bag out. Good mulching is about doing it properly:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Quick Job |
|---|---|
| Weeds cleared first | Mulch over weeds (they just grow through) |
| Even 5-7cm depth throughout | Thin in places, piled up in others |
| Kept clear of plant stems | Mulch touching stems (causes rot) |
| Clean edges for a professional finish | Spilled over onto paths and lawn |
What You Get
🔧 The Spreading Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Prep | Quick weed, debris cleared, beds ready |
| Spread | Mulch barrowed and spread evenly across beds |
| Edge | Clean lines where borders meet lawn/path |
| Tidy | Any spills cleaned up, paths swept |
📦 You're Left With
- Professional-looking borders
- Weed suppression for months
- Better moisture retention
- That satisfying "finished garden" look
Pricing Guide
| Garden Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small border or two | 1 hr or less | £60 |
| Average garden beds | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| Large garden or heavy bags | 2-3 hrs | £110-£160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Doesn't include mulch cost - just the spreading.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Spring refresh - suppress weeds before they get started
✅ New planting - give new plants the best start
✅ Low-maintenance garden - mulch cuts down weeding massively
✅ Elderly or mobility issues - the barrow work is the killer part
Why Choose Us for Mulch spreading in Exeter?
Even coverage around all your plants
Right depth for weed suppression
Clean edges for a professional finish
All the heavy lifting done for you
What to Expect
Step 1: Prep The Beds
I'll do a quick weed of the obvious stuff and clear any debris. If there's established weeds, I'll let you know - might need a proper weeding session first.
Step 2: Spread The Mulch
Working methodically through each bed, spreading to an even depth. Keeping it away from stems, getting it right up to the edges without spilling onto paths.
Step 3: Clean Finish
Edges tidied, any spillages swept up, paths clean. Your driveway mountain is now evenly distributed where it's supposed to be.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to do it yourself? Here's how to avoid the common mistakes:
🔧 What you'll need
- Wheelbarrow (ideally two-wheeled for stability)
- Spade or fork for filling barrow
- Garden rake for spreading evenly
- Kneeling pad (you'll be up and down a lot)
- Strong back (or break it into several short sessions)
📐 Spreading technique
- Do a quick weed first - seriously, don't skip this
- Pile mulch in several points around the border (less barrow distance)
- Spread from the back forward (don't walk on what you've just done)
- Aim for 5-7cm depth - use your hand as a guide
- Keep mulch 2-3cm away from plant stems
- Use the back of a rake to level and smooth
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Mulching over weeds (they just grow through)
- Making it too thin (weeds come through) or too thick (smothers plants)
- Piling it against stems (causes rot)
- Not calculating how much you need (running out is frustrating)
💡 Pro trick: Lay landscape fabric first in areas with persistent weeds (like ground elder or bindweed), THEN add mulch on top. Double barrier against the nightmare weeds.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌱 Plant-friendly: Bark chippings can temporarily reduce nitrogen as they break down. If plants look a bit yellowy, a sprinkle of blood, fish & bone fertiliser sorts it out.
Bulk buying saves: One cubic metre bulk bag is usually cheaper than buying 14 individual bags from the garden centre, even with delivery. And way less plastic waste.
Combining jobs: If I'm doing other garden work (weeding, pruning, planting), adding mulch spreading at the same time saves you money. I'm already there and the beds are already prepped.
Devon's wet climate: Mulch really earns its keep here. Stops soil getting waterlogged and compacted over winter, keeps moisture in during our (occasional) dry spells, and suppresses our very enthusiastic weed growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of mulch should I use?
Bark chippings are most popular - they look good, suppress weeds, and last 2-3 years. Compost is great if you want to improve the soil. Decorative gravel for a modern look. I can advise what suits your garden and help you work out how much you need.
Do I need to buy the mulch myself?
Either way works. If you've already got it delivered in bulk bags, brilliant. If not, I can pick it up from the garden centre or arrange delivery from a local supplier - usually works out cheaper than buying bags from the DIY store.
Will you weed the beds first before spreading?
Yes - there's no point putting mulch over weeds. I'll do a quick clear of obvious weeds first. For badly overgrown beds, we might need to quote that as a separate job before the mulching.
How thick should the mulch layer be?
About 5-7cm (2-3 inches) is ideal. Thick enough to suppress weeds and retain moisture, but not so thick it smothers your plants or rots the stems. I'll get it right.
How many bags do I need for my borders?
Rough rule: one 70-litre bag covers about 1 square metre at decent depth. Measure your bed area and double it if you want to be safe. Or I can estimate when I see it - I've spread a LOT of mulch over the years!
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