How much mulch do I need?
Multiply the area of your bed (square feet) by the depth (inches), divide by 12 to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. One cubic yard covers about 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep.
| Depth | 1 cu yd covers | One 2 cu ft bag covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 12 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 8 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 6 sq ft |
What depth should mulch be?
For most flower and shrub beds, 2–3 inches is enough to block weeds and hold moisture. Coarse bark nuggets can go up to 4 inches. Keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks and plant stems to prevent rot – avoid “mulch volcanoes”.
Bags or bulk?
Bagged mulch is convenient for small jobs. Once you need more than about 2–3 cubic yards (roughly 30–40 two-cubic-foot bags), bulk delivery is usually cheaper and much less work. Enter both prices above to compare.
Refreshing existing mulch
Mulch breaks down over time. When topping up, measure how much is left and only add enough to bring the total back to 2–3 inches – often just 1 inch per year.