How Much Mulch Does Your Landscaping Actually Need?
Ordering mulch is one of those jobs where guessing costs money — too little and the crew runs short mid-job, too much and you are paying to haul the extra away. The math is simple once you know it.
The rule of thumb
One cubic yard of mulch covers roughly 100 square feet at 3 inches deep. At 2 inches deep, the same yard covers about 150 square feet. Three inches is the standard for Bergen County beds: enough to suppress weeds and hold moisture, not so deep it smothers roots.
How to measure your beds
Walk each bed with a tape measure. For rectangles, length times width. For curves, break the bed into rough rectangles and add them up — close enough for mulch math. Add up all beds, divide by 100, and you have cubic yards at 3-inch depth.
What affects the number
- Existing mulch. Topping up last year’s layer needs half as much as a fresh install.
- Bed depth variation. Sloped beds need more on the low side.
- Delivery minimums. Most suppliers have minimums — small jobs may cost less as bagged mulch.
Quick checklist
- Measure each bed (length × width)
- Total the square footage
- Divide by 100 for cubic yards at 3 inches
- Round up slightly — running short mid-job costs more
Rather not do the math? Our bed refresh service includes measuring, materials and installation. Get a free estimate.
Get a free estimate
Tell us about your property and we will confirm scope, schedule and price before any work begins.