How much mulch do I need?
Cubic yards = length × width × depth (ft) ÷ 27
Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag size
A 20 × 4 ft bed at 3 inches is 20 cubic feet, about 0.74 cubic yards, or 11 bags of 2 cubic feet with 10% extra. One cubic yard equals 13.5 two-cubic-foot bags or 9 three-cubic-foot bags.
How deep should mulch be?
- Garden beds: 2 to 3 inches. More can starve shallow roots of air.
- Topping up last year's mulch: 1 inch.
- Paths: 3 to 4 inches.
- Playgrounds: 6 to 12 inches of certified wood chips for fall protection.
Starting a new bed? Add soil first with the topsoil calculator.
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
A cubic yard of mulch equals 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet. Covering 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep takes 25 cubic feet: 13 two-cubic-foot bags, or 0.93 cubic yards in bulk.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet, or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet.
How much area does a yard of mulch cover?
About 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep, or 162 sq ft at 2 inches.
Is bulk mulch cheaper than bags?
Usually above 2 to 3 cubic yards, once the delivery fee is spread over the load.
Reference charts
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