Mulch Calculator
Free online mulch calculator for landscaping projects. Calculate mulch volume needed for rectangular, circular, and triangular garden beds. Determine bags needed and coverage area in cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters.
The Mulch Calculator helps you determine how much mulch you need for your landscaping project. Calculate volume and number of bags required for various garden bed shapes.
Rectangle Garden Bed
Circular Garden Bed
Triangle Garden Bed
What is a Mulch Calculator?
A Mulch Calculator is a landscaping tool that helps gardeners and homeowners determine the amount of mulch needed to cover garden beds, flower beds, tree rings, and other landscape areas. By entering the dimensions of your garden bed and desired mulch depth, the calculator provides the volume of mulch required and the number of bags to purchase.
Types of Mulch
- Organic Mulch (Wood chips, bark): Decomposes over time, enriches soil, retains moisture. Most common for gardens.
- Rubber Mulch: Long-lasting, doesn't decompose, good for playgrounds and pathways.
- Rock/Stone Mulch: Permanent, decorative, low maintenance. Good for xeriscaping.
- Straw/Hay Mulch: Inexpensive, good for vegetable gardens, decomposes quickly.
- Compost Mulch: Nutrient-rich, improves soil quality, breaks down quickly.
Recommended Mulch Depth
- General landscaping: 5-7.5 cm (2-3 inches)
- Flower beds and gardens: 7.5-10 cm (3-4 inches)
- Around trees and shrubs: 7.5-15 cm (3-6 inches)
- Weed suppression: 10-15 cm (4-6 inches)
- Pathways: 5-10 cm (2-4 inches)
Benefits of Mulching
- Retains soil moisture and reduces watering needs
- Suppresses weed growth
- Regulates soil temperature
- Prevents soil erosion
- Adds organic matter to soil as it decomposes
- Improves aesthetic appearance of garden beds
- Protects plant roots from temperature extremes
- Reduces soil compaction from rain
Mulch Application Tips
- Don't pile mulch against tree trunks or plant stems - leave a gap
- Apply mulch after weeding and watering the area
- Refresh mulch annually as it decomposes
- Darker mulch retains more heat than lighter colored mulch
- Always round up when purchasing - it's better to have extra
- Store leftover mulch in a dry, covered area
- Consider buying in bulk (by cubic yard) for large areas - it's more economical
- Use landscape fabric underneath for better weed control