Mulch Calculator
Use the Diamond Tree Experts mulch calculator to figure out how much product you need to complete your project. This is only an estimate.
Mulch Areas
Bed Breakdown
| Bed / Area | Dimensions | Depth | Shape | Yards |
|---|
Mulch Prices
Per cubic yard — prices as of 2026. Call (801) 262-1596 to confirm current pricing.
Natural Mulch
Per Cubic YardColored Mulch
Per Cubic Yard (Medium Only)Specialty Products
Per Cubic Yard**Diamond Soil is a premium custom blend.
Ready to order? Call us or visit the yard.
3645 S 500 W, South Salt Lake · Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5 PM
How to Calculate How Much Mulch You Need
From the team at Diamond Tree Experts — Salt Lake Valley's on-site mulch producer since 1967
Diamond Tree Experts makes mulch on-site at our facility in South Salt Lake. We grind clean green waste through a tub grinder, let it decompose in turned piles until weed seeds and pathogens are killed off, and sell the finished product directly to homeowners and contractors throughout the Salt Lake Valley.
No middleman, no mystery ingredients — we know exactly what's in it because we made it. Natural mulch comes in fine, medium, and coarse. Colored options in red, dark brown, chocolate, and black. Delivery is available with a 10 cubic yard minimum, or pull up to the yard at 3645 S 500 W and load it yourself.
The math is simple: length × width × depth (in feet) ÷ 27 = cubic yards. The calculator above handles that for you. What trips people up is measuring wrong, picking the wrong depth, or ignoring the fact that mulch settles. Most homes need 5–8 cubic yards when they do everything. If your number says 15 yards for a regular suburban yard, check your work.
Depth Changes Everything
The depth you choose doubles your material — and your cost
| Depth | Best For | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches Minimum | Vegetable gardens, top-up applications | Absolute minimum for any benefit. Below this, you're just decorating — weeds will push through within weeks. |
| 3 inches Recommended | Garden beds, foundation plantings | The sweet spot for most applications. Good weed suppression, good moisture retention, won't cause root problems. |
| 4 inches | Trees, shrubs, perennial beds | Excellent weed suppression. Keep pulled back from trunks. Double the material vs. 2 inches — plan accordingly. |
| 2–3 inches | Around tree trunks | Always pull mulch back 3–4 inches from the trunk. Mulch against bark causes crown rot and can kill mature trees. |
| 6+ inches Avoid | Nowhere | Creates anaerobic conditions — smells like garbage, attracts insects, suffocates roots. Don't pile it on. |
The Tree Trunk Warning
Never pile mulch against a tree trunk. Two to three inches around trees is enough — always pulled back from the bark. Mulch piled against trunks creates crown rot. People kill mature, healthy trees this way every year.
Measuring Your Beds
You don't have one perfect rectangle — and that's fine
📐 Rectangle Beds
Length × Width = Square footage. Simple. Convert any inches to decimals first — 8 feet 6 inches = 8.5 feet. The calculator needs that decimal, not "8'6".
A 25-foot tape measure handles most foundation beds. Write everything down before you go inside. Seriously — don't trust your memory.
⭕ Circles & Tree Rings
Measure straight across the middle (diameter). Divide by 2 to get the radius. The calculator does the circle math from there.
For odd shapes — that curved bed by the driveway, the L-shaped corner — break them into approximate rectangles. You'll be close enough.
Google Maps Trick
Pull up your property in satellite view on Google Maps. If you know your house is 50 feet wide, you can estimate bed sizes from the overhead view without even going outside. Not exact, but gets you in the ballpark before you grab the tape measure.
Mulch Type Affects How Much You Need
Not all mulch covers the same — plan for the difference
Fine Mulch
- Packs tight, fewer air gaps
- Covers more area per yard
- Spreads and rakes easily
- Most coverage per dollar
Medium Mulch
- Best all-around choice
- Most popular option
- Good coverage and appearance
- What most homeowners order
Coarse Mulch
- Bigger chunks, more air gaps
- Order ~10% more than fine
- More natural look
- Good for drainage areas
Colored Mulch Tip
Colored mulch shows thin spots far more obviously than natural. If you're going with red, black, chocolate, or dark brown — don't try to stretch it at 2 inches. Go 3.5–4 inches. The dye is water-soluble and completely safe. It doesn't change volume or weight.
Bags vs. Bulk Delivery
Hardware store bags cost 2–3× more per cubic yard than bulk
| Factor | Bagged (Hardware Store) | Bulk from Diamond Tree |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per cubic yard | $60–$80 | $36–$48 pickup / $39–$51 delivery |
| Bags needed per cubic yard | 13–14 bags | One order |
| Best for | ½ yard or less | Anything over ½ yard |
| Minimum order | Any amount | 10 yards (delivery) / any amount (pickup) |
| Product quality | Varies by brand | Made on-site, no treated wood or debris |
Real Properties, Real Numbers
Use these as a sanity check against your calculator results
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
57 years of watching the same errors — here's what to watch for
Forgetting the Settling Buffer
Mulch settles. April's 3 inches becomes July's 2 inches. Always add 10–15% to your total. If the calculator says 5 yards, order 6.
Not Checking Existing Mulch
You've got old mulch from last year. Rake it back in a few spots and measure it. If it's already 1 inch deep and you want 3 total, you only need 2 inches of new material — not 3.
Going Too Thin to Save Money
The most common mistake we see. People stretch mulch thin, then call six weeks later because weeds took over and they need more anyway. Do it right the first time.
Ordering the Wrong Amount
Too little means a second delivery — full minimum and fees again. Too much means a pile in your driveway for months. Measure twice, order once.
Topping Off Old Mulch
In Utah's dry climate, mulch lasts 18–24 months before needing a refresh
When to Refresh
- Check beds in early spring
- Bare soil showing through = time to refresh
- Existing mulch under 2 inches = add more
- Utah's dry climate extends life vs. humid areas
- Plan on refreshing every 18–24 months
How to Calculate Top-Up
- Rake back mulch in several spots and measure
- Enter only the additional depth needed in the calculator
- Example: 1.5" existing + 2" new = 3.5" total ✅
- Don't assume you need 3" new without measuring first
- Over-applying creates the same problems as going too deep
Using the Calculator Right
Follow these steps in order for an accurate estimate
Measure everything before you start
Get all measurements in one trip with a tape measure and paper. Don't measure one bed, go inside, come back. You'll lose numbers. A 25-foot tape works for most beds; use 50-foot for long runs or curves.
Convert inches to decimals
Your tape shows feet and inches. Convert to decimals — 8 feet 6 inches = 8.5 feet. The calculator needs decimals, not fractions. Divide the inches by 12 to get there.
Pick the right depth for each area
New beds: 3–4 inches. Topping off old mulch: 1–2 inches. Around trees: 2–3 inches (pulled back from trunk). Vegetable gardens: 2 inches.
Calculate each bed separately
Add each area individually in the calculator above. Don't round any individual beds — only round the final total. Add them all up at the end.
Add 10–15% for settling, then round up
The calculator does this automatically. Round up to the nearest half yard or full yard. That's your order. Walk the property one more time to check for any beds you missed before you call.
Questions? Call Before You Order.
If your numbers seem off, call us and we'll help you verify them. Better to catch a mistake before the truck shows up.
3645 S 500 W, South Salt Lake · Mon–Fri 7:30 AM – 5 PM
