How Much Mulch Do I Need?
To determine how much mulch you need for landscaping, first measure the area you plan to cover. Mulch is typically applied at a depth of 2 to 3 inches to provide adequate moisture retention, weed suppression, and soil insulation.
To calculate the amount of mulch required, multiply the square footage of the area by the desired depth in feet (convert inches to feet by dividing by 12). For example, for a 100-square-foot area with a 2-inch depth, you would multiply 100 by 0.167 (2 inches ÷ 12 inches per foot), giving you about 16.7 cubic feet of mulch.
Most mulch is sold in cubic yards, so divide the cubic feet by 27 (since there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard) to determine the number of cubic yards needed. In this case, 16.7 cubic feet divided by 27 equals approximately 0.62 cubic yards. Round up to ensure you have enough mulch, especially if your area has uneven terrain or if you're covering a larger space.