Soil & compost
How much mulch do I need?
Area times depth, converted to cubic yards and bags. A thousand square feet at three inches deep takes about 9.3 cubic yards.
How this works
Three inches is the standard weed-smothering depth. Keep a hand-width of bare ground around every trunk — mulch piled on bark invites rot and mice.
Questions people ask
How many bags of mulch in a cubic yard?
Thirteen and a half at 2 cubic feet a bag, or 27 at 1 cubic foot. Bulk delivery is almost always cheaper past about two yards.
How deep should mulch be?
Three inches is the working figure for beds and around trees. Past four it starts keeping rain out rather than holding it in, and piling it against a trunk invites rot.
How often do I need to re-mulch?
Wood chips break down over one to two seasons, straw over one. Top up to depth each spring rather than laying a full fresh layer.