Soil & compost · 5 min read
Mulch Depth Around Vegetables Versus Trees: What Changes?
Choose mulch depth by material and planting context, account for the existing layer, and avoid piling mulch against stems or trunks.
Read the guideThe garden workbench
Mulch coverage calculator
Estimate the material needed to reach your chosen mulch depth.
Measurement system
Enter bag volume, not weight. The starting dimensions are examples, not a recommended bed or mulch depth.
How this is calculated
Area × added depth × number of beds. Added depth is the target minus existing material, never below zero. Circle area is π × radius². One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet; one cubic foot is 28.316846592 liters. Bag counts round up to a whole bag.
Use inside measurements. Sloping bottoms, tapered walls, roots and existing material can change the actual capacity. This calculator does not assess structural loads or choose your soil recipe.
Put your plan into practice
Use these guides to check the growing decisions behind your inputs.
Soil & compost · 6 min read
Choose Mulch by the Bed's Maintenance Plan, Not Just Its Appearance
Compare mulch materials for frequently replanted vegetable beds and longer-lived ornamental plantings, including provenance, handling, irrigation, and renewal.
Read the guideTrees, shrubs & vines · 6 min read
Give a Young Tree a Protected Rooting Area, Not Just a Mulch Ring
Design a young tree’s mulch area around mower clearance, expanding roots, watering access, and protection from digging and compaction.
Read the guide