How to Buy Mulch, Compost, and Topsoil by the Numbers
It’s always frustrating to come home from the garden center with what you think is plenty of mulch, only to find that your estimate fell far short. Save yourself extra trips when you use this simple calculation to determine how much mulch, soil or compost you need for any job. And we’ll help you figure out the best way to move it too.
Calculate how much material you need in cubic feet
Length × Width × Depth (measured in feet)
For example, a 36 × 6-foot bed with 3 inches (.25 feet) of mulch:
36 × 6 × .25 = 54 cubic feet
Need a lot? Consider buying in bulk
Cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards
For example, 54 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 2 cubic yards
How do bags and bulk garden materials compare?
| Calculate Bags per cubic yard | 1 cubic yard | 3 cubic yards | 5 cubic yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| .75 cubic-foot bag | 36 | 108 | 180 |
| 1 cubic-foot bag | 27 | 81 | 135 |
| 1.5 cubic-foot bag | 18 | 54 | 90 |
| 2 cubic-foot bag (Most commonly sold size) | 14 | 42 | 70 |
| 3 cubic-foot bag | 9 | 27 | 45 |
*Know your vehicle’s load limits!
A cubic yard of topsoil can weigh 1,000 to 3,000 pounds, depending on how much clay or moisture is in the mix. A cubic yard of compost is usually 1,000 to 1,500 pounds and bark mulch, 400 to 700 pounds. Don’t forget to include your own weight and that of any passengers into your calculations!
You Might Also Like:
Wheelbarrows, Garden Carts & More Ways to Haul Stuff
Should I Use Wood Chip Mulch from a Tree Service?
Subscribe to Garden Gate Magazine
