How much mulch do you need?
Add your beds, set the depth, get cubic yards and bag count instantly.
Topping up? Enter the old layer that's left. Keep Depth at the total you want — only the difference is counted.
How do I calculate how much mulch I need?
Multiply the area of each bed by the depth you want to get the volume, then convert it to cubic yards or bags. A 20 ft by 10 ft bed at 3 inches deep holds 50 cubic feet: about 1.85 cubic yards, or 25 bags of 2 cubic feet, before any extra for settling.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet, 18 bags of 1.5 cubic feet or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet. At 3 inches deep, one 2 cubic foot bag covers about 8 square feet, and a cubic yard covers about 108 square feet.
How deep should mulch be?
Two to three inches suits most flower and shrub beds; coarse bark or wood chips can go to 3 or 4 inches. Around trees, spread a flat ring 2 to 3 inches deep and keep it about 3 inches away from the trunk — a donut, not a volcano. Paths take 3 to 4 inches of wood chips. More than about 4 inches in planted beds can keep water and air from reaching the roots.
How much mulch do I need to top up a bed?
Only the difference between the depth you want and what is left. If a bed still has an inch of old mulch and you want 3 inches, add 2. Enter the old layer in Mulch already there and the calculator counts only what you need to add. Organic mulch breaks down, so most beds need topping up every year or two.
How deep should mulch be under a playground?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends at least 9 inches of wood mulch or wood chips under play equipment, or 6 inches of shredded rubber. Loose fill packs down by about a quarter over time, so fill wood mulch to 12 inches to keep 9: enter 12 inches as the depth.
Is bagged or bulk mulch cheaper?
It depends on the job and the week. Bags are easy to carry and often on sale in spring, which can make them as cheap as bulk. Bulk usually wins on bigger jobs, once the delivery fee is spread over several yards — one yard of bulk replaces 13½ two-cubic-foot bags. Enter your local prices above to see which is cheaper for you.