How Much Mulch or Soil Do I Need?


Calculations for Determining How Much Mulch or Soil You Need

Steps 1-3
Basic Formula
Example #1
Example #2
Example #3
Step 1 - Measure the area, or square footage, of your flower bed. The easiest way to approximate the area of your bed is by dividing the bed into multiple rectangles. Find the area of each rectangle (length x width) and add them all together.
Step 2 - Decide how deep you want the material.
Our recommendations:
  • Mulch - 2-3 inches
  • Raised Beds - 6-8 inches of planting mix
Step 3 - Divide the area of flower bed by the value of the following table that correlates to the depth of the bed that you desire. The resulting value is the Cubic Yardage of material that you need.
Depth of Material Table Value to Divide Area By:
1" 324
2" 162
3" 108
4" 81
5" 65
6" 54
7" 46
8" 40

BASIC FORMULA:

Area of Bed / Table Value determined by bed depth = Cubic Yards of material needed

EXAMPLE #1

When you know the area of your flower bed
Area of Bed - 600 sq ft
Depth of Mulch - 3 in
Table Value determine by the 3" bed depth - 108

600 sq ft / 108 = 5.6 Cubic Yards

5 and 1/2 Cubic Yards of Mulch Needed

EXAMPLE #2

Approximating the area of a single flower bed
Bed Diagram Example #1
Length of Bed - 10 ft
Width of Bed - 6 ft
Depth of Soil - 8 in
Table Value determined by the 8" bed depth - 40

Area of Bed = 10 ft x 6 ft = 60 sq ft
60 sq ft / 40 = 1.5 Cubic Yards

1 and 1/2 Cubic Yards of Soil Needed

EXAMPLE #3

Approximating the area of multiple flower beds

My flower beds look like:
Initial Bed Diagram Example#3

First divide your bed into rectangles:

Bed Diagram Example #3
Length of Bed A- 13 ft
Width of Bed A - 4ft
Area of Bed A - 52 sq ft
Length of Bed B - 4 ft
Width of Bed B - 3 ft
Area of Bed B - 12 sq ft
Length of Bed C - 4 ft
Width of Bed C - 3 ft
Area of Bed C - 12 sq ft
Length of Bed D - 4 ft
Width of Bed D - 4 ft
Area of Bed D - 16 sq ft
Area of all Beds - 52 sq ft + 12 sq ft+ 12 sq ft + 16 sq ft = 92 sq ft
Depth of Bed - 2 in
Table Value determined by the 2" bed depth - 162

92 sq ft / 162 = .56 Yards

Half a Cubic Yard of Mulch Needed


For other questions concerning the use and type of soils, please contact us. Landscape Depot has staff,including chemical engineers with professional growing experience and professional landscapers to help you with your growing needs.

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