Mulch is a great way to give your garden a finished look, retain moisture in the soil, and suppress weeds. If you’re planning a landscaping project, you’ll probably need to buy mulch in bulk. Mulch is typically sold by the cubic yard, but you might be more familiar with cubic feet. So, how many cubic feet is in a yard of mulch?
Knowing the answer is essential to avoid over- or under-ordering. Let’s dive in.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
Here’s the basic fact: There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. This is true no matter what material you’re talking about.
So, when you buy a cubic yard of mulch, you’re getting 27 cubic feet of mulch.
To give you an idea of how much that is, think about those bags of mulch you can buy at the hardware store. Those usually hold 2 cubic feet of mulch. So, one cubic yard is about 13 and a half of those bags.
Understanding Mulch Coverage and Depth
The amount of mulch you’ll need depends on how thick you want the layer to be.
Coverage at Different Depths
One cubic yard of mulch will cover about 162 square feet if you spread it two inches deep. If you want a three-inch layer, one cubic yard covers around 108 square feet.
Be sure to consider how deep you want the mulch to be when you’re figuring out how much to buy.
Measuring Your Garden Area
Before you order your mulch, take some time to measure the area you want to cover. That way, you won’t end up with too little or too much.
It’s easier to measure in feet, so you can use that measurement when you’re calculating how much mulch to get.
How to calculate mulch volume for different shapes
Most of the time, mulch is used on garden beds that are in a regular shape, such as a rectangle, square, circle, or triangle. To figure out how much mulch you’ll need, you’ll need to figure out the area of the space first.
Rectangular beds
If you’re working with a rectangular bed, here’s the formula you’ll use:
Volume = Length x Width x Depth
Make sure all the measurements are in the same units. For example, if you want to know how many cubic feet you need, make sure all your measurements are in feet.
Here’s an example: If your bed is 10 feet long, 5 feet wide, and you want the mulch to be 0.25 feet (3 inches) deep, you’ll need 12.5 cubic feet of mulch.
What about other shapes?
You can calculate mulch volume for circles and triangles, too, but the formulas are a little more complicated. If you’re not sure how to proceed, you can use an online calculator or look for resources that can help you with the math.
What to keep in mind when you buy mulch
You’ll want to consider a few things when you’re buying mulch, including the type of mulch, how you’re going to get it home, and how much it will cost.
Mulch types and weight
There are many different kinds of mulch available. You may want to consider premium mulch, organic mulch, or decorative bark, depending on your landscaping needs.
The weight of mulch also varies. A cubic yard of mulch typically weighs between 600 and 1,000 pounds.
Purchasing options and delivery
You can buy mulch in bags or in bulk. It’s worth noting that a standard pick-up truck bed can hold about 2.5 cubic yards of mulch.
Cost considerations
The cost of mulch varies depending on where you live and the type of mulch you choose. You can expect to pay a certain amount per cubic yard or per bag.
It’s always a good idea to compare prices from different suppliers before you make a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will 2 yards of mulch fit in a truck?
It depends on the size of your truck bed! A standard full-size pickup truck bed can usually hold around 2 to 3 cubic yards of mulch, but it’s crucial to check your truck’s load capacity to avoid overloading. Smaller trucks will obviously hold less. Better safe than sorry!
How many 2 cubic feet bags of mulch are in a yard?
Since one yard equals 27 cubic feet, you’ll need 13.5 (27 / 2 = 13.5) of those 2-cubic-foot bags to make up a full yard of mulch. Keep that in mind when you’re calculating how many bags to buy!
Is it cheaper to buy bags of mulch or bulk?
Generally, buying mulch in bulk is cheaper per cubic foot than buying it in bags. Bags offer convenience, but you’ll pay a premium for that convenience. If you need a significant amount of mulch, bulk is almost always the more economical choice.
How much area does 1 yard of mulch cover?
One yard of mulch will cover approximately 324 square feet at a depth of 1 inch, 162 square feet at a depth of 2 inches, and 108 square feet at a depth of 3 inches. Most gardening experts recommend a mulch depth of 2-3 inches for optimal weed control and moisture retention.
Final Thoughts
So, to recap, one cubic yard of mulch equals 27 cubic feet. Knowing this will help you calculate how much mulch you need for your garden or landscaping project.
Getting the right amount of mulch is key to keeping your plants happy and healthy, and to avoid wasting money.
Now that you know how many cubic feet are in a yard of mulch, you can make smart mulch-buying decisions with confidence!