To add another complication here, not all mulch bags have a 2 cu ft (0. 057 m3) volume—you may be dealing with 1. 5 cu ft (0. 042 m3), 2. 8 cu ft (0. 079 m3), or 3 cu ft (0. 085 m3) bags. So check carefully before buying!

To add another complication here, not all mulch bags have a 2 cu ft (0. 057 m3) volume—you may be dealing with 1. 5 cu ft (0. 042 m3), 2. 8 cu ft (0. 079 m3), or 3 cu ft (0. 085 m3) bags. So check carefully before buying!

To add another complication here, not all mulch bags have a 2 cu ft (0. 057 m3) volume—you may be dealing with 1. 5 cu ft (0. 042 m3), 2. 8 cu ft (0. 079 m3), or 3 cu ft (0. 085 m3) bags. So check carefully before buying!

To add another complication here, not all mulch bags have a 2 cu ft (0. 057 m3) volume—you may be dealing with 1. 5 cu ft (0. 042 m3), 2. 8 cu ft (0. 079 m3), or 3 cu ft (0. 085 m3) bags. So check carefully before buying!

To add another complication here, not all mulch bags have a 2 cu ft (0. 057 m3) volume—you may be dealing with 1. 5 cu ft (0. 042 m3), 2. 8 cu ft (0. 079 m3), or 3 cu ft (0. 085 m3) bags. So check carefully before buying!

To add another complication here, not all mulch bags have a 2 cu ft (0. 057 m3) volume—you may be dealing with 1. 5 cu ft (0. 042 m3), 2. 8 cu ft (0. 079 m3), or 3 cu ft (0. 085 m3) bags. So check carefully before buying!

The most common mulch bag volume is 2 cu ft (0. 057 m3). 27 cu ft (0. 76 m3) equals 1 cu yd (0. 76 m3). 27 cu ft (0. 76 m3) / 2 cu ft (0. 057 m3) = 13. 5 (So technically you only need 13 + 1/2 bags of mulch—but good luck buying a half bag!)

For example, if you input 210 sq ft (20 m2) at 3 in (7. 6 cm), a mulch calculator will tell you to buy 26. 3 [2 cu ft (0. 057 m3)] bags. (But buy 27 or, better yet, 28 to be sure you have enough mulch!) If you’re dealing with an irregularly-shaped space that makes it hard to measure the area, do your best to estimate the area to be covered. An educational site that helps students estimate the area of irregular shapes can be a really helpful resource.

For example, a 6 ft × 8 ft (1. 8 m × 2. 4 m) planting bed equals 48 sq ft (4. 5 m2). So you’ll need 0. 48 cu yd (0. 37 m3) of mulch, or about 7 standard bags (0. 48 x 13. 5 = 6. 48), to cover it. For a deeper layer than the typical 3 in (7. 6 cm), measure all three elements (length, width, and depth) in feet to get a cubic footage estimate, then convert it to cubic yards by dividing by 27 (or multiply by 0. 000001 to convert from cubic centimeters to cubic meters). For example: 8 ft (L) x 6 ft (W) x 0. 5 ft (D) = 24 cubic feet; 24 / 27 = 0. 89 cubic yards; 13. 5 x 0. 89 = 12 standard bags of mulch. What if you want to mulch a circular area, like around a tree? Measure the radius (half the diameter), then use the formula A=πr2{\displaystyle A=\pi r^{2}} to get the area: If r = 4 ft (1. 2 m), A = 3. 14 x 16 = 50. 24 sq ft (4. 667 m2)

1 bag = 35 lb (16 kg) 65 bags per pallet = 65 x 35 = 2,275 lb (1,032 kg) Standard wood pallet = 40 lb (18 kg) Total = 2,315 lb (1,050 kg) Safety Note: While wood pallets are usually rated to hold up to 4,600 lb (2,100 kg), some organizations set lower limits, such as 2,200 lb (1,000 kg). [6] X Research source

To get the most out of the nutrients mulch provides, add a 2–4 in (5. 1–10. 2 cm) layer when your plants are just beginning their robust growth period—usually in late spring or early summer. Add about 4–6 in (10–15 cm) of mulch after the growing season is over and the cold weather begins to arrive to provide your plants with a blanket.

You don’t need to remove the old mulch—just add a layer of new mulch on top. Mulches made of non-organic materials—like rubber mulch—will last much longer, as will landscaping alternatives like stone and gravel.

A “mulch volcano” holds moisture right up against the base of the plant, which invites fungal growth and attracts destructive insects. It also inhibits oxygen flow to the root system.

To make leaf mulch, shred up a pile of leaves by running your lawnmower over it. If desired, sift out any larger pieces through a piece of wire fencing. Add grass clippings or even finely-shredded paper to your leaf mulch. Rent a wood chipper to turn yard waste like twigs and small branches into mulch. [10] X Research source