How Many Bags of Mulch in a Yard? Bagged Vs Bulk

When trying to determine  the right amount of mulch and if bulk mulch is a better option, you may be wondering, how many bags of mulch in a yard? Let’s do some simple math, shall we?

How Many Bags of Mulch In a Yard?

A yard of mulch is actually a cubic yard of mulch. It is 3 cubic feet x 3 cubic feet x 3 cubic feet, which would be 27 cubic feet of mulch. A standard size bag of mulch is 2 cubic feet. So, how many bags of mulch in a yard then?  There are 13.5 bags of mulch in a yard. 

Mulch Calculator – How Much Mulch Do I Need?

When figuring out the right amount of  wood chips or mulch layer for your landscaping project or garden beds, you’ll need a couple measurements.

Once you have your tape measure, you can measure the length and width of your garden beds or flower bed. Next you’ll need to determine how many inches of mulch or the depth of mulch.  Typically, you’ll want your mulch layer to be 2-4 inches thick.

You can then do some simple math to determine how much mulch you’ll need for your project or plug your numbers into the mulch calculator.

FAQ’s

How Do I Convert Bags to Cubic Yards of Mulch?

Most wood chips, bark chips, or mulch come in a two cubic foot bag. You would need 13.5 bags of mulch to equal one single cubic yard of mulch.  So, 27 cubic feet (one Yard) divided by 2 cubic feet equals 13.5 bags of mulch.

How Many Cubic Feet of Mulch in a Yard?

A cubic yard is 3x3x3ft, which equals 27 cubic feet of mulch in a yard. 

Is It Cheaper to Buy Bulk Mulch?

Most often you will find that buying bulk mulch from a mulch supplier is cheaper then bagged mulch. The cost of mulch from Home Depot will is right around $4.00. Since there are 13.5 bags of mulch in a cubic yard, that would be a total cost of $54 a yard.  The average price for a single cubic yard of mulch at my local nursery is $35 a yard.  That’s a $19 savings when considering what a bag of mulch costs compared to buying cubic yards of mulch.

How Many Bags of Mulch is Equal to 10 Cubic Yards of Mulch?

Well, we have already figured how many bags of mulch in a yard, coming in at 13.5 bags. So, 13.5 x 10=135 bags of mulch in 10 cubic yards of mulch.

How Much Mulch Can I Fit in a Pickup Truck?

Not all trucks are created equal, so you’ll have to consider the payload capacity, and how much does a scoop of mulch weigh. Most truck beds can safely carry a decent amount of bulk mulch. Your payload capacity can be figured out by subtracting your trucks curb weight from the GVWR to get the payload capacity. 

•  A standard full size truck with a 6 Ft. bed can carry 2 yards of mulch.
•  A standard full size truck with an 8 Ft. bed can carry 3 yards of mulch.

How Much Does a Single Cubic Yard of Mulch Weigh?

Needing to know the weight of a scoop of mulch is important. On average, you can expect a yard of wood mulch to weigh around 800lbs. Different types of mulch will have different weights. 

• 1 Yard Topsoil for Landscaping Projects = 2,000 Lbs (1 Ton)
• 1 Yard Mushroom Compost for Vegetable Gardens= 1,000 – 1,200 Lbs
• 1 Yard Garden Compost for Flower Bed or Vegetable Gardens= 800 Lbs
• 1 Yard Rubber Mulch = 800 Lbs
• 1 Scoop Sand = 2,500 Lbs

How Many Bags of Mulch Are on a Pallet?

The number of bags of mulch on a pallet can vary.  Not all pallets and mulch bags are the same size. You can expect for there to be around 60-70 bags of mulch on a standard sized pallet.

I’ve Always Bought Mulch in Bags, Why Should I Buy Bulk Mulch?

While buying mulch in bags can be convenient and easy to load and unload, buying bulk mulch by the yard is much cheaper.  You can expect to save around $20 a yard buying bulk materials from a mulch supplier vs by the bag at the big box stores.

If you have a large project to do, buying mulch by the truck load is cheaper and will save you money on your total costs. Keep in mind that you will have the daunting task of shoveling that mulch out of the bed of the truck, which is also an important factor to consider. 

How much does 20 bags of mulch cover?

The area that 20 bags of mulch will cover will depend on the desired depth of mulch. For example though, 20 bags of mulch will cover an area that is 12 x 10 and 4 inches deep.

What Does a Single Cubic Yard of Mulch Look Like?

Thinking about how many bags of mulch in a yard, 13.5 bags, will give you an accurate picture of a what a yard of mulch looks like. You can also expect a yard of mulch to fill up a standard front end loader scoop.

What are the Different Types of Mulch for the Vegetable Garden?

When deciding which type of mulch to use in the vegetable garden there are so many choices. From pine bark, bark chips, mulches, wood chips, pine needles, grass clippings, pine straw, to sheet mulching they all have their pros and cons.

Why Add a Layer of Mulch to Garden Beds?

Adding organic materials as a mulch in the vegetable garden and landscape beds can improve soil structure, suppress weed growth, help retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperatures, and give you healthier plants. 

How Many Bags of Mulch in a Yard?

Now that we know that there are 13.5 bags of mulch in a single cubic yard and how to calculate the volume of mulch needed, it’s time to get busy covering up that bare soil in your garden beds.  Now you’ll just need to decide if it’s Bark Vs Mulch in the Vegetable Garden. 

Happy Homesteading & Gardening

Jenny @ The GrahamStead Family Farm

Jenny and her family have been homesteading for over 20 years. They are currently farming on their 10-acre Florida farm, that they built from the ground up, 8 years ago, growing 100% of their meat and a lot of their vegetables. From their small herd of Aberdeen Angus Cattle, Pastured Poultry, Sheep, and seasonal pigs, they are able to raise enough meat for the family while selling extra to the community. All the while, striving to butcher at home, as much as possible, and use the bits and pieces of their harvest by preserving food, making bone broth, and (Jenny’s favorite) tanning all kinds of hides!