Mulch is an important facet in every landscaper and gardener's practice. It creates a visually pleasing space that also benefits the surrounding ecology. For example, wood mulch decays over time and will slowly deposit nitrogen back into the soil while also minimizing weeds. When planning your garden this season, many find themselves contemplating how to calculate mulch for their space. Here are a few helpful tips, including our precise cubic yard calculator to help you gauge the correct amount this spring and summer.
Assess Your Space to Calculate Mulch
Foremost, you want to thoroughly assess the area you will be adding mulch to. Make sure that the area has sufficient borders to house the mulch. Measure your space including the perimeter and depth in feet. If your space is round, measure the radius (from the center of the bed to the border) and intended depth. If your space is a rectangle or square, measure the width, length, and intended depth. Keep in mind that you are aiming for a moderate depth that will keep water from evaporating to support your plants. But, you don't want to layer excess mulch because it limits water from entering the soil or can stifle plants. You also want to consider what kind of mulch you will be using-- gravel is much thicker in comparison to triple-shredded wood mulch or straw. If the mulch is finer in texture, layer it about 2-3 inches deep. Denser mulches should be about 1 inch deep or less. Take note of any large trees, plants, or inconsistencies in the space so you can appropriately deduct or add to your mulch calculation.
How to Measure Mulch
If you want to know how to measure mulch yourself, you can do so by making some simple calculations. First, you want to determine the square footage. If the space is round, multiply the radius by 3.14. If the intended space is a square or rectangle, multiply the width and length. The result is the square footage of your space. Most mulch distributors sell by cubic yards and one cubic yard measures 324 square feet. This should help you determine how much mulch you need. For example, if your bed is 300 square feet you would need about 1 to 1.5 cubic yards of mulch depending on how deep it will be or how many trees and plants are in the area.
Use Our Cubic Yard Calculator
Fortunately, Kurtz Bros. Inc. has a calculator embedded into every single product page to make your calculations a breeze! All you have to do is type in the length, width, and depth into our calculator seen above and we will provide you will a free estimation. Remember to factor in some wiggle room or deduct from the overall total if your space is populated with trees, boulders, or a lot of plants.
Kurtz Bros., Inc. is here to help you create a beautiful garden! We are always available to answer your landscaping questions on the phone or in person. Don't hesitate to contact us so we can further assist you in your calculations.