How deep should mulch be?
2–3 in for weed suppression without suffocating roots. Keep it pulled back from trunks — mulch volcanoes trap moisture against the bark.
Calculate cubic yards of mulch or gravel needed for landscaping projects. Enter area dimensions and desired depth for instant estimates.
Cubic feet = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Tons of gravel ≈ cubic yards × 1.4.
A 400 sq ft bed at 3 in deep needs 100 cubic feet, or 3.7 cubic yards of mulch. In gravel that is roughly 5.2 tons.
2–3 in for weed suppression without suffocating roots. Keep it pulled back from trunks — mulch volcanoes trap moisture against the bark.
Bulk is cheaper above about 2 cubic yards. Standard bags hold 2 cubic feet, so one cubic yard is 13.5 bags — the crossover comes fast.
About 1.4 tons per cubic yard for crushed stone and 1.1–1.3 for pea gravel. Delivery is usually priced by weight, not volume.