A “yard of mulch” is the standard measurement for buying bulk landscaping material, referring to a cubic yard. This volume represents a cube of material that is three feet long, three feet wide, and three feet high, totaling 27 cubic feet of mulch. The price for a cubic yard varies widely based on the type of material, its processing, and your geographic location.
Average Price Ranges by Mulch Type
The cost of a cubic yard of mulch generally falls between $30 and $150, but the material composition determines the final price. Standard shredded hardwood mulch is the most budget-friendly choice, often costing between $30 and $50 per cubic yard for the material alone. This material is made from various wood scraps and is valued for its ability to decompose relatively quickly, which helps enrich the soil.
Colored or dyed mulches, popular for their aesthetic consistency, command a slightly higher price point, usually ranging from $40 to $60 per cubic yard. The added cost comes from the non-toxic iron oxide or carbon-based dyes used to achieve a rich black, red, or brown color. These dyes help the mulch maintain its appearance for a longer period than natural wood mulches.
Premium and specialized materials represent the highest investment, with options like cedar, cypress, or rubber mulch often costing $80 to $150 per cubic yard. Cedar and cypress mulches are naturally resistant to pests and decay due to their chemical composition, which contributes to their longevity and higher price. Rubber mulch, made from recycled tires, is the most expensive upfront due to its processing, but it lasts for many years without needing replacement.
Calculating Your Mulch Needs and Coverage
A single cubic yard of mulch contains 27 cubic feet of material, which translates into a specific coverage area depending on the depth of application. The standard recommended depth for most landscape beds is between two and three inches. This depth is optimal for suppressing weed growth by blocking sunlight while still allowing water and air to reach the soil.
If you spread the mulch to a depth of three inches, one cubic yard will cover approximately 100 to 108 square feet of area. Reducing the depth to two inches increases the coverage, allowing one cubic yard to cover around 162 square feet. The calculation for determining your total volume requirement is based on your area’s square footage multiplied by the desired depth, converted into feet, and then divided by 27.
For instance, measuring a rectangular bed’s length and width in feet, multiplying them together, and then multiplying that result by the depth in feet (e.g., 3 inches is 0.25 feet) yields the total cubic feet needed. Dividing that total cubic footage by the 27 cubic feet in a yard gives you the final number of cubic yards to order. For small, irregularly shaped areas, it is often easier to estimate the size or divide the area into smaller, measurable sections.
Hidden Costs of Mulch Purchase and Delivery
The material price is only one part of the overall project cost, as delivery and purchasing method can significantly add to the final bill. When ordering bulk mulch by the yard, a delivery fee is almost always applied, typically ranging from a flat rate of $50 to $100. This charge covers the fuel, vehicle maintenance, and driver’s time involved in transporting the loose material from the supplier to your location.
Some suppliers may also charge a distance surcharge if you are outside their standard service range. Many companies impose a minimum order requirement, such as two or three cubic yards, meaning small projects may still incur the full delivery fee. This makes the cost per yard for a small order disproportionately high.
A comparison of bulk versus bagged mulch reveals another cost factor. Bagged mulch is sold in smaller volumes, typically two cubic feet per bag, meaning 13.5 bags equal one cubic yard. The cost of buying an equivalent volume in bags is often 30% to 50% higher than buying in bulk. While bulk is cheaper per unit, bagged mulch offers convenience for very small projects or touch-ups, eliminating the need for a delivery fee and the labor of shoveling from a large pile.