How Much Mulch Do You Need?

Mulch is usually purchased in bulk by the cubic yard. Follow these simple instructions to calculate how much mulch you need for your landscape bed:

1. Measure the area that you are looking to cover. Multiply the Length (in feet) by the Width (in feet) to get the Area (square footage.)
2. Divide the Area by 27 (27 cubic feet in a cubic yard.)
3. Divide that answer by 12 (12 inches in a foot.)
4. Multiply that answer by the number of inches (depth of the material) desired
5. You now have the number of cubic yards required for your project.

How much is one cubic yard? One cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet. One yard covers approximately:

100 square feet at 3 inches deep
150 square feet at 2 inches deep

If you have a wheelbarrow, the following might be helpful:

You would need (7) 4 cubic feet wheelbarrows to equal 1 cubic yard.
You would need (5 1/2) 5 cubic feet wheelbarrows to equal 1 cubic yard.
You would need (4 1/2) 6 cubic feet wheelbarrows to equal 1 cubic yard.

A large pick-up truck bed can hold from 1½ to 2 yards depending on how it is packed and how heavy (wet) the mulch is.

Tips for success:

 Be sure to herbicide weeds/turf area before mulching over them.
 Initial mulching is recommended at 3 – 4” deep for shrubs and trees; 1 – 2” for perennials. Thereafter add only an inch or two at a time.
 Before mulching a second time rake the existing mulch a bit to break it up so water will penetrate. (Hardwood mulch tends to crust over & cake so the surface becomes impermeable to water over time.)
 Do not mulch up against tree trunks or plant crowns; do not “volcano” mulch.
If you are still unsure as to how to calculate the amount of mulch you require for your needs, contact your local garden center with Virginia Certified Horticulturist on staff or Virginia Certified Landscape Designer at www.vsld.org

Provided by Michele R. Fletcher, VSLD - Landscape Designer/Horticultural Consulting, 890 Adair Hill Drive, Rockbridge Baths, VA 24473 * plantlover@ntelos.net

Go to our consumer website for additional gardening information at www.VirginiaGardening.com

The Virginia Green Industry Council is the voice of the horticulture industry in the Commonwealth and is dedicated to enhancing the beauty of the state’s environment, the well-being of our citizens, improving our state’s economy, and improving the health and wellness for everyone in Virginia. The Council is made up of providers and consumers of horticultural products and services. The Council works to provide public and industry education, environmental guidelines and other information that will keep Virginia green and growing.

For more information, visit www.virginiagreen.org.
540-382-0943 FAX: 540-382-2716

E-mail:info@virginiagreen.org

Virginia Green Industry Council
383 Coal Hollow Rd
Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721