The Mulch Cost calculator computes the approximate cost of mulch based on the volume (V) of mulch and the unit price (uP).
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose your preferred units and enter the following:
Total Cost: The calculator the volume and unit pricing information to provide an estimated cost of mulch in U.S. dollars. However this can be automatically converted to other currency units via the pull-down menu.
Mulching is an excellent way to help your garden, plants, shrubs or trees in your yard. Mulch slows the growth of weeds, while allowing water and air to get to your plants; it also provides a pleasing visual boundary to highlight your plants.
To help you know how much mulch you need for a job, the vCalc mulch calculator helps calculate the volume of mulch needed. The volume equations, mulch cover (area), mulch cover (circular) and mulch cover (rectangle) both use the dimensions of the area to be covered and the desired depth of mulch in order to calculate the volume. The volume is returned in cubic units (system units such as cubic feet) or in standard bags. Bags of mulch in the U.S. typically come in units of 2 cubic feet. Note: most experts recommend a depth(d) of 1" to 2" of fine mulch or 3" to 4" of coarse mulch.
The mulch cost equation allows you to enter the cubic measurement (ft3 or m3) and then lets you enter the unit price for a cubic foot of mulch. vCalc uses the volume and unit price to compute the total cost. Local pricing should always be used. However, for the convenience of the user, a periodic Internet survey is made of mulch prices. The most recent observations are as follows:
My family buys mulch in two ways, bags and loose. The bags are as described above. They are typically 2.0 cubic feet plastic bags, are easy to transport in the trunk (boot for our British friends) of our car or the back of our hatchback without causing too much of a mess. However, we more often use our truck to get bulk mulch. That usually turns out to be much cheaper, but we have to get it ourselves using a trailer or truck. In this case, we typically buy a scoop or two, which fits in the back of our truck, and costs $40 -$60 per scoop. However, the cheapest mulch that we've bought has come from our local landfill. At the landfill, they take common yard debris and processes it into mulch. This is arguably lower quality mulch, but still very useful and much cheaper. We've see it for free or up to $20/cubic yard.
vCalc has a library of equations and calculator for planters and green houses at the following links: