How Much Mulch Do I Need? A Simple Way to Measure

    Measure a garden bed, pick a depth and convert to cubic yards or bags of mulch. Includes a coverage table and a worked example.

    Mulch is cheap by the bag but adds up quickly when you cover a large yard. Getting the quantity right means you pay for delivery once and avoid a mountain of leftovers.

    Step 1: Measure the area

    Measure the length and average width of each bed in feet and multiply to get square feet. For curved beds, estimate an average width along the length, or split the bed into rectangles and add them up. Subtract areas you will not mulch, such as paving or large rocks.

    Step 2: Choose a depth

    A layer of around two to three inches is a common recommendation. Too thin and weeds push through; too deep and the layer can hold too much water and starve roots of air. Keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks and house siding.

    Step 3: Convert to cubic yards

    Cubic feet = area in square feet × depth in inches ÷ 12. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Bulk mulch is sold by the cubic yard and bagged mulch by the cubic foot.

    How far does one cubic yard go?

    One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Divide that by the depth in feet to see how many square feet it covers:

    How many bags make a cubic yard?

    Worked example: a 10 × 20 foot bed, 3 inches deep

    Bulk or bags?

    Bags are easy to carry and handy for small beds. Once you need more than a couple of cubic yards, bulk delivery is usually cheaper per yard, though suppliers may round deliveries to whole or half yards and charge for delivery. Ask for the total delivered price before you decide.

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