Bark Mulch Calculations

THE BASICS: Our Valley Dark, Hemlock and Mountain Blend bark mulches are available by the yard and "partial yard" (measuring at just over 1/2 yard)... below quantity recommendations are sometimes rounded up (from parenthetical "actual" quantities) to reflect our available measurements.

Whether you're spreading a light, one-inch layer to top-dress, or a two to three inch deep mulch on new areas (we do not recommend more than a three inch depth and, in fact, usually favor a two inch depth).  Deeper than this, precludes essential oxygen from reaching surface roots and tends to retain too much moisture, possibly leading to the presence of root rot and entry by other disease organisms.  

Maintain a circle of bare soil around the trunk or base of all woody and herbaceous plants.  Mulch should never, ever come in contact with trunks or stems, as the continued dampness and pressure can actually cause girdling, with the same disastrous results as girdling caused by rodents chewing.

How much do I need?

Determine your total square footage, then refer to these guidelines....

Equivalents...

27 cu ft = 1 cubic yard (actual 27.0 cu ft)

9, 3 cu ft bag = 1 cubic yard (actual 9.0 bags)

14, 2 cu ft bag = 1 cubic yard (actual 13.50 bags)

Two cubic foot bag coverage...

One 2 cu ft bag of mulch covers 

24 sq ft, 1" deep

12 sq ft, 2" deep

8 sq ft, 3" deep

Three cubic foot bag coverage...

One 3 cu ft bag of mulch covers

36 sq ft, 1" deep

18 sq ft, 2" deep

12 sq ft, 3" deep

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FOR THREE INCH DEPTH... 

To mulch 100 sq ft, 3" deep...

1 cubic yard (actual 0.93 yd)

9, 3 cu ft bags (actual 8.33 bags)

13, 2 cu ft bags (actual 12.50 bags)

To mulch 200 sq ft, 3" deep...

2 cubic yards (actual 1.85 yds)

25, 2 cu ft bags (actual 25.00 bags)

17, 3 cu ft bags (actual 16.67 bags)

To mulch 300 sq ft, 3" deep...

3 cubic yards (actual 2.78 yds)

25, 3 cu ft (actual 25.00 bags)

38, 2 cu ft (actual 37.50 bags)

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FOR TWO INCH DEPTH... 

To mulch 100 sq ft, 2" deep...

3/4 cubic yard (actual 0.62 yd)

6, 3 cu ft bags (actual 5.56 bags)

9, 2 cu ft bags (actual 8.33 bags)

To mulch 200 sq ft, 2" deep...

1 1/2 yards (actual 1.23 yds)

17, 2 cu ft bags (actual 16.67 bags)

12, 3 cu ft bags (actual 11.11 bags)

To mulch 300 sq ft, 2" deep...

2 cubic yards (actual 1.85 yd)

17, 3 cu ft bags (actual 16.67 bags)

25, 2 cu ft bags (actual 25.00 bags)

Corliss Culture Sheets written by Deb Lambert for Corliss Bros Garden Center & Nursery, 31 Essex Rd, Ipswich, MA