As a gardener, I know firsthand how valuable mulch is for conserving moisture and safeguarding plants. It’s an essential part of anyone’s garden.
If you’ve decided to mulch your garden and don’t have any existing mulch to use, you’re probably going to have to buy the mulch.
Now, if you’re considering buying a large amount of mulch for your garden, be prepared to encounter the term ‘cubic yards.’
So, let’s delve into some questions we often face – how much does a yard of mulch weigh, and how much garden space can it cover?
What Is The Weight Of A Yard Of Mulch? (It Varies)
Anyone working on a landscaping project who needs to know how much mulch they need will need to know the weight of a cubic yard of mulch.
A cubic yard of mulch typically falls between 500 and 1000 pounds.
This equates visually to 3 feet wide, 3 feet deep, and 3 feet in height.
However, a cubic foot of mulch tends to weigh around 40 pounds.
Two key factors determine the weight of a yard of mulch: mulch type and its moisture content.
Mulch Types And Their Cubic Yard Weight
The kind of mulch you choose significantly impacts a cubic yard’s weight. As there are numerous mulch varieties, each has a specific weight and unique traits.
Organic mulch, created using organic material like wood chips, bark, chopped leaves, and pine straw, is a popular choice.
A yard of wood chips generally weighs 500-600 pounds, while a yard of bark weighs between 800-900 pounds. In contrast, mulch consisting of chopped leaves and pine straw is much lighter and usually weighs 300-400 pounds per cubic yard.
Then there’s inorganic mulch, such as stone and gravel, which significantly outsizes organic materials.
A cubic yard of stone or gravel can reach a considerable 2000 pounds. Meanwhile, rubber mulch sits around 1200 pounds.
Moisture Content And How It Influences Mulch Weight
The moisture content of a yard of mulch substantially influences its weight. When wet or damp, its weight exceeds that of dry mulch due to the added weight of the water.
Each mulch type reacts differently to moisture. Yet, you could anticipate a weight increase of around 30% depending on the type and conditions.
How Many Bags Of Mulch Does One Cubic Yard Require?
If you’re wondering how many bags of mulch you’ll need to cover a cubic yard, the answer is simple.
A typical bag of mulch is around 2 cubic feet in size. A cubic yard of mulch is equivalent to 27 cubic feet.
So, using basic division, we learn that 13.5 bags of mulch are required for one cubic yard.
How Much Surface Area Will 1 Cubic Yard Of Mulch Cover?
The exact area covered by one cubic yard of mulch varies depending on the type and moisture content of the mulch.
However; in general:
- At 3″ deep, a cubic yard of mulch will cover approximately 100 square feet.
- At 2″ deep A cubic yard of mulch should cover approximately 200 square feet. If you use finer mulch, such as crushed bark or sawdust, you may be able to cover a larger area.
What Is The Weight Of Half A Yard Of Mulch?
Simply divide the weight of one yard by two to get the weight of half a yard of mulch.
Because most mulches weigh 500-1000 pounds per cubic yard, we should expect most mulch to weigh half that amount each half-yard. This equates to 250-500 pounds.
What Is the Weight Of A Yard Of Dyed Mulch?
Due to the added components in the dye, dyed mulch often weighs slightly more than conventional, undyed mulch.
One cubic yard of red-dyed mulch, for example, typically weighs around 400 pounds, whereas one cubic yard of brown-dyed mulch may weigh 450 pounds or more.
It is crucial to note that these are only estimations, and your unique sort of dyed mulch may differ depending on the dye formulation. If you need a specific answer, contact your local supplier and receive an accurate weight estimate before making a purchase.