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Mulch: Coverage, Types & Depth

Pick the right mulch for beds, trees, or playgrounds and order the right number of yards.

Mulch conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and moderates soil temperature. Bulk mulch is sold by the cubic yard; bagged mulch is typically 2 ft³ per bag, so 13.5 bags equal a yard.

Weight
~400–800 lb per cubic yard
Density
15–30 lb/ft³
Coverage
1 cubic yard of mulch covers ~108 sq ft at 3″ depth or 162 sq ft at 2″.

How do I calculate how much mulch I need?

Mulch CalculatorTopsoil Calculator

Standard beds: 2–3 inches of mulch. Around trees: 3–4 inches, kept 3–6″ off the trunk. Playgrounds: 6–12 inches of engineered wood fiber over a proper base for fall attenuation.

Dyed mulches use vegetable- or iron-oxide-based colorants that are safe for plants. Avoid mulch made from CCA-treated wood (rare today but check the source).

What is mulch used for?

  • Flower beds and shrub borders
  • Around trees and specimen plants
  • Vegetable gardens (straw, leaf)
  • Playground safety surfacing
  • Path covering

Which types of mulch are there?

Hardwood bark
Long-lasting, classic look. Most common landscape mulch.
Cedar / cypress
Naturally rot-resistant, mild insect repellent.
Pine bark nuggets
Decorative, drains well. Can float in heavy rain.
Dyed mulch (black, brown, red)
Colorfast for one season, then fades.
Rubber mulch
Playgrounds. Long-lasting but doesn't feed soil.
Straw / leaf mulch
Vegetable beds. Breaks down in a season, feeds soil.

What else do people ask about mulch?

How deep should mulch be?

2–3 inches for beds, 3–4 inches around trees, kept off the trunk.

How many bags of mulch in a yard?

13.5 bags at 2 ft³ per bag.

How often should mulch be refreshed?

Top-dress every spring; fully replace every 2–3 years.

Which other materials should I compare?

GravelSandConcreteTopsoilAsphaltCrushed StonePea GravelFill Dirt