Landscaping
Landscaping Mulch Calculator
Mulch for a bed, in cubic yards and in bags, at the depth that actually suppresses weeds.
Result
Three inches is the usual target: enough to block light and hold moisture, not so much that it holds water against stems. Mulch piled against a trunk rots the bark, which is the most common and most avoidable mistake in a planting bed.
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About this calculator
How deep should mulch go?
Two to three inches for most beds, three to four for weed suppression on open ground. Deeper than four and it stops water and air reaching the soil.
How many bags in a cubic yard?
Thirteen and a half two-cubic-foot bags. Past about three yards, bulk delivery is usually cheaper and far less carrying.
Does mulch need topping up every year?
Organic mulch breaks down, which is the point, so most beds need an inch adding annually rather than a full replacement.
The formula
cubic yards = length x width x (depth / 12) / 27
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