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Coverage per cubic yard
| Depth | Sq ft per yd³ | Bags of 2 cu ft per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1″ | 324 | 5 |
| 2″ | 162 | 9 |
| 3″ | 108 | 13 |
| 4″ | 81 | 17 |
Yards of mulch for common bed sizes
| Bed area | 2″ deep | 3″ deep | 4″ deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.31 | 0.46 | 0.62 |
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 | 0.93 | 1.23 |
| 200 sq ft | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 |
| 300 sq ft | 1.85 | 2.78 | 3.70 |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 | 4.63 | 6.17 |
| 1000 sq ft | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 |
Topping up an existing bed
Mulch breaks down over a season or two. If a bed already has an inch or two left, you only need to add enough to get back to the target depth. Going from 1 inch to 3 inches is a 2-inch top-up: a yard covers 162 sq ft. That is why repeat orders are often half the size of the first one.
How deep should mulch be?
Many university extension services recommend 2–4 inches for most beds. Keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks and plant stems, since mulch piled against bark (“mulch volcanoes”) holds moisture against it. Deeper is not better: thick layers can keep water and air from reaching roots.
Related
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of mulch cover?
About 108 sq ft at 3 inches, 162 at 2 inches and 81 at 4 inches.
How many yards of mulch for 500 sq ft?
About 4.63 yards at 3 inches (500 ÷ 108).
How much does a yard of mulch cover at 2 inches?
162 sq ft.
How many square feet does a yard of mulch cover at 1 inch?
324 sq ft.