Mulch is a key ingredient for healthy gardens and landscaping. It helps keep weeds down, locks in moisture, and can even regulate soil temperature. But knowing how much to buy can be tricky.
The big question is: how many bags of mulch do you need to cover your garden beds? To answer that, we’ll need to talk about bag sizes, cubic yards, and a little bit of math. We’ll also cover some cost considerations to help you stay on budget.
Understanding the Basics: Cubic Yards, Cubic Feet, and Bag Sizes
To figure out how many bags of mulch you’ll need, it helps to understand a few basic terms.
What is a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume. One cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet.
Landscapers and gardeners often use cubic yards to measure large quantities of mulch.
How big is a bag of mulch?
Most bags of mulch are either 2 cubic feet or 3 cubic feet in size. You may find smaller 1-cubic-foot bags, but the 2-cubic-foot size is the most common.
Typical Weights
A 2-cubic-foot bag of mulch typically weighs somewhere between 20 and 40 pounds, while a 3-cubic-foot bag can weigh from 60 to 70 pounds.
Keep in mind that the weight can vary quite a bit depending on the type of mulch and its moisture content.
The Quick Math: Calculating Bags Per Yard
Here’s a cheat sheet for calculating how many bags of mulch you need to buy:
- 2 cubic foot bags: You’ll need roughly 13.5 bags per cubic yard. (One yard is 27 cubic feet, so 27 / 2 = 13.5)
- 3 cubic foot bags: You’ll need about 9 bags per cubic yard. (27 / 3 = 9)
Keep in mind that these numbers are theoretical. It’s always a good idea to buy a little extra to account for settling and the fact that it’s almost impossible to spread mulch perfectly evenly.
Understanding coverage: depth and square footage
When you’re calculating how much mulch to buy, the depth of the mulch layer is as important as the square footage of the area you’re covering.
Mulch depth matters
Most experts recommend a mulch depth of 2 to 3 inches.
A cubic yard of mulch spread to a depth of 2 inches will cover 162 square feet. If you spread that same cubic yard of mulch to a depth of 3 inches, it will only cover 108 square feet.
Calculating coverage area
A 2-cubic-foot bag of mulch will cover about 12 square feet if you spread it to a depth of 2 inches. A 3-cubic-foot bag will cover around 18 square feet at that same 2-inch depth.
Why this matters
Accurate calculation can help you avoid over- or under-buying. And proper depth is essential for effective weed control and moisture retention, both of which will help your garden thrive.
How to Measure Your Garden Space and Calculate Mulch Needs
Okay, so you’re ready to calculate how much mulch you need. Here’s what to do:
- Measure the length and width of the area you want to mulch (in feet).
- Multiply those numbers to get the square footage: Length x Width = Square Footage.
- Decide how deep you want the mulch to be (in inches). Two to three inches is generally recommended.
- Now for the math: (Square footage x Desired depth in inches) / 324 = Cubic yards.
- Figure out how many bags you need based on the bag size: multiply cubic yards by 13.5 for 2 cubic foot bags or by 9 for 3 cubic foot bags.
- Finally, add 10% extra to your total. This will account for settling.
Bulk vs. bagged mulch: Cost and quality considerations
When buying mulch, you’ll typically have the option of buying it in bulk or in bags. Which is better for you?
Cost
If you’re working on a large project, buying mulch in bulk is almost always the more cost-effective option. For instance, if you need 10 yards of mulch, you’ll save a significant amount of money by buying in bulk versus buying individual bags.
For smaller projects, bagged mulch is often a better option, since you only buy what you need and you don’t have to deal with the transportation challenges of bulk mulch.
Quality
Local landscape suppliers often have higher quality mulch than you’ll find at the big box stores. You’ll also find a wider variety of mulches, such as cedar, pine, and hardwood, each with its own unique characteristics.
Other considerations
Bulk mulch is heavy, and you’ll need to figure out how to get it from the supplier to your property. You’ll also need a place to store it until you’re ready to use it. Bags are easier to transport, and you can store them in a shed or garage.
Closing Thoughts
When you’re figuring out how many bags of mulch are in a yard – and how many you need – remember that bag size, the area you want to cover, the depth of mulch you want, and the overall size of your project all matter.
Take your time to measure your garden beds accurately and calculate your mulch needs carefully. Don’t forget to think about cost and quality when deciding whether to buy mulch by the bag or in bulk.
With the right amount of mulch, your garden will be healthier and more beautiful!