Mulch Volume Is Simple Geometry

Mulch volume = area × depth ÷ 12 (feet) ÷ 27 (cubic feet per yard). A 200 sq ft bed at 3 inches needs 1.85 cubic yards, and one yard covers 108 sq ft at that depth. Ordering slightly up is safer than down — mulch settles and compacts by 10–20% over the first season.

Bulk vs. Bagged: The Real Difference

Bulk mulch costs $30–45 per cubic yard; bags at $4.50 per 2 cu ft cost $61 per cubic yard — about 40% more. Bulk is the clear winner for anything over a few yards, with delivery fees amortized across the order. Bags make sense for small beds, no-truck households, and top-ups where a delivery minimum would be wasteful.

Match the Mulch to the Job

Hardwood mulch breaks down into soil organic matter but needs refreshing yearly; cedar resists insects and lasts longer; rubber never decomposes (great for playgrounds, inert for plants); stone lasts indefinitely but traps heat and offers no soil benefit. Price-per-yard differences are wide — the calculator sets realistic defaults for each type.