Mulch Calculator

Apply 2-4 inches in established beds and 3-4 inches in new plantings to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Keep depth under 2 inches right up against tree trunks, because piling mulch against bark holds moisture there and invites rot.

One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. That works out to 14 bags of 2-cubic-foot mulch or 9 bags of 3-cubic-foot mulch (the calculator rounds up to whole bags so you never run short). Above about 5-6 cubic yards, bulk delivery from a landscape supplier usually costs less than buying bags.

At 3 inches deep, 1 cubic yard covers 108 square feet. At 2 inches it covers 162 square feet, and at 4 inches only 81 square feet. Use 2 inches when refreshing an existing bed and 3-4 inches when starting from bare soil.

Spring (April through May) is the prime window, since the soil has warmed but weeds have not yet germinated. A light top-up in fall helps insulate roots from frost. Avoid spreading mulch on cold, soggy soil; trapped moisture chills the root zone and promotes fungal growth.

Yes, shredded hardwood is denser than pine bark or cedar, which affects weight per bag but not volume. Bags and bulk loads are sold by cubic feet or cubic yards, so this calculator works for any organic mulch type. Weight matters for delivery costs; volume is what determines coverage.