Mulch & Soil Calculator
Free mulch and soil calculator to estimate cubic yards, bags, weight, and cost for your garden project.
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Mulch and Soil Calculation Tips
One cubic yard of mulch covers approximately 100 square feet at a depth of 3 inches. Garden beds typically need 2-3 inches of mulch for effective weed suppression and moisture retention. Use 3-4 inches for new beds or areas with heavy weed pressure.
Measure your garden area carefully before ordering. Break irregularly shaped beds into rectangles, calculate each separately, and add the totals together. Order a little extra to account for uneven spreading and settling.
For best results, apply mulch in spring after the soil has warmed up. Refresh mulch annually by adding 1-2 inches to maintain consistent depth and appearance throughout your garden beds.
Frequently Asked Questions
At 3 inches deep, you need about 9 cubic feet, which equals 5 bags of 2-cubic-foot mulch.
2-3 inches is ideal for most garden beds. Use 3-4 inches for new beds or weed suppression.
Weight varies by type: standard hardwood mulch weighs about 40 lbs per cubic foot, or 1,080 lbs per cubic yard.
Use mulch on top for moisture retention and weed control. Mix compost into soil for nutrient enrichment.
Refresh mulch annually, as it breaks down over 1-2 years. Top off with 1-2 inches each spring.
Break the area into rectangles, calculate each separately, then add the totals together.