Question 1

How deep should mulch be applied?

Accepted Answer

For flower beds, apply 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) of mulch. For trees and shrubs, 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) is ideal. Avoid piling mulch against tree trunks (the 'mulch volcano' effect) — leave 2-3 inches of space around the base. For vegetable gardens, 1-2 inches is usually enough.

Question 2

How much mulch do I need per square foot?

Accepted Answer

One cubic yard of mulch covers about 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 108 square feet at 3 inches deep. One cubic foot covers about 12 square feet at 1 inch, 6 square feet at 2 inches, or 4 square feet at 3 inches.

Question 3

How many bags equal a cubic yard?

Accepted Answer

A standard 2 cubic foot bag covers about 24 square feet at 1 inch deep. There are 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft in a cubic yard. Larger 3 cu ft bags are also common (9 per yard). Bulk delivery is usually cheaper when you need more than 2-3 cubic yards.

Question 4

What is the difference between mulch, compost, and soil?

Accepted Answer

Mulch is a top layer (wood chips, bark, straw) used to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Compost is decomposed organic matter added to soil to improve fertility. Topsoil is the upper layer of native soil. Each serves a different purpose in gardening and landscaping.

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