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Mulch Calculator for a Vegetable Garden

A light mulch layer keeps veggie beds moist and weed-free. Enter your bed size with a 1–2 inch depth.

Common sizes
Shape
Units

Area: 100 sq ft

1.0cubic yards

≈ 14 bags2 cu ft each

Bulk is usually sold in ½-yard increments with a ~1-yard delivery minimum — round up when you order.

Show the math
  1. Area100 sq ft
  2. Volume100 sq ft × 3 in ÷ 1225.0 cu ft
  3. Cubic yards25.0 cu ft ÷ 270.9 cu yd
  4. + 10% waste0.9 × 1.101.0 cu ydthe amount to buy in bulk, before rounding to bags
  5. Bags27.5 cu ft ÷ 2 cu ft/bag14 bagsrounded up to whole bags

Est. cost $31–$51typical bulk price · adjust for your supplier

Bags or bulk for this job?

Bulk delivered$150–$1902.0 cu yd (2-yd min) + ~$90 delivery
Bags$42–$8414 × 2 cu ft · haul ~1 pickup load

For this size, bags usually wins.

≈ 9 wheelbarrow loads to spread · delivery fee varies by distance — confirm at checkout.

  • Low-fi estimate. Confirm coverage and bag sizes with your supplier.
  • Includes a 10% overage allowance.
  • Bag count assumes 2 cu ft bags. Bulk delivery is sold by the cubic yard.

Doing more than one bed or material?

Total the whole yard →See it designed
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How to measure for mulch

  1. Measure the length and width of your area in feet.
  2. Multiply them for square feet (or just enter length and width above).
  3. Choose a depth — we default to 3 inches for mulch.
  4. Read your total in cubic yards, or the number of bags.

Mulch for a Vegetable Garden coverage at a glance (3" deep)

Area (sq ft)Cubic yardsBags
1001.014
2002.028
3003.142
5005.169
1,00010.2138

Includes a 10% overage allowance. Estimates are low-fi — confirm with your supplier.

Frequently asked questions

How deep should mulch be in a vegetable garden?

1–2 inches of a light material (straw, shredded leaves, fine bark) is plenty — deep mulch can keep soil too cool and wet for vegetables.

What mulch is safe for vegetables?

Straw, shredded leaves, grass clippings, and untreated bark are common. Avoid dyed or treated mulches around food crops.

Other calculators

Mulch for a Vegetable Garden — How Much to Use | GoGarden