You have decided to add some fresh mulch to your landscape—great! Now comes the question of sourcing your material. Whether you are buying gravel, soil, or organic mulch, there are generally two options: bagged or bulk.
Let us help you weigh the pros and cons of each.
Quantity: How Much Mulch Do You Need?
One of the easiest ways to figure out if you should buy bulk or bagged is to determine the amount you will need.
Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide:
Bagged Mulch
Bags of mulch are typically available in sizes of 2-3 cubic feet, and most bagged mulches are 2 cubic feet. For reference, a 2-cubic-foot bag will cover a 12-square-foot area with a 2-inch mulch depth.
Bulk Mulch
Bulk products are generally measured in cubic yards or “scoops.” One cubic yard of mulch is 27 cubic feet and will cover 162-square feet at a 2-inch depth.
“Scoops” are a little more vague. This term in the landscaping industry can vary from supplier to supplier, so your best bet is to ask your local company how many yards are in a scoop if that’s how they measure. (Mulch Mound handles this conversion for you).
Scoops tend to be around 18 cubic feet or two-thirds of a yard. Although the measurement is confusing, this could provide you more flexibility for smaller projects.
If you get lost in the math or don’t feel like doing the calculation, no worries! You can use this simple mulch calculator to handle conversions, surface area coverage, and even estimate the cost.
Bagged Mulch Quality: Local Suppliers vs. Big-Box Retailers
A high-quality mulch is important for preventing weeds, providing nutrients to your plants, preventing run-off, and improving curb appeal (see our other blog for a more in-depth explanation of the benefits of mulching).
Most agree that mulch from local landscape suppliers is higher quality compared to the bagged mulch you may see at places like Lowe’s, Walmart, and others.
Not many people know this, but local suppliers will usually let customers purchase mulch in bag form for smaller projects. Keep in mind that you will need to transport the bags yourself and sometimes even bag the mulch yourself.
Cost: Which Option Fits Your Budget?
When we go to the store, items tend to be cheaper if you buy in bulk, so the same must apply to material, right?
Well, the answer is actually a little more tricky.
- Bulk Mulch: Buying mulch in bulk requires delivery from the supplier—this doesn’t come cheap since a dump truck has to be used. The charges for delivery vary from $40-$200+ per order, which can really add up for small quantities.
- Bagged Mulch: Note that you will still need to pick up the bagged mulch and pay for transportation, so the delivery isn’t really $0 for bagged mulch.
If cost is the deciding factor for you, a good rule of thumb is to use bagged mulch for projects that require 1-2 cubic yards. If you want a more accurate cost comparison, our mulch calculator will help you determine which type is more economical for your project.
Other Considerations
Aside from quantity, quality, and cost, other factors to keep in mind include:
- Delivery Limitations: When you get bulk mulch, local suppliers will deliver the mulch in your driveway using a dump truck. If you don’t have a driveway or one big enough for a dump truck, most companies will not deliver the product for liability reasons.
- Transportation Challenges: Once this pile of mulch is in your driveway, you will need a way to transport it to your flower beds. If you don’t have a wheelbarrow and a scoop shovel or pitchfork, moving the mulch might prove to be difficult and time-consuming, so bags may be your better option.
- Vehicle/Licensing Restrictions: Without a driver’s license or a suitable vehicle, picking up bagged mulch may be out of the question, making bulk your only choice.
Get Your Bulk Mulch from Mulch Mound
Buying mulch from your local landscaping supplier is your best option in most scenarios. With your newfound knowledge, it is time to make a decision on whether bagged or bulk mulch better meets your needs.
If you go with bulk, Mulch Mound would be happy to supply you with a local product!
If you're in the Akron area, check our Akron mulch services for fast and reliable delivery. For other locations we serve across the state, explore Ohio mulch locations to find the nearest supplier.
Got any questions? Fill out this form, and we'll get back to you within 24-48 hours. You may also call 762-MULCH-ON or 762-685-2466.
Bulk vs. Bagged Mulch: Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
A standard yard of mulch is 27 cubic feet. Since most bags of mulch are 2 cubic feet, you'll need approximately 13.5 bags of mulch to equal one yard.
How many yards are in a bag of mulch?
A standard 2-cubic-foot bag of mulch contains about 0.074 cubic yards.
One scoop of mulch is how many bags?
One scoop of mulch is typically around 18 cubic feet, which is equivalent to about 9 bags of 2-cubic-foot mulch.
How much does a bag of mulch weigh?
The weight of a mulch bag depends on the type of mulch (wood, rubber, etc.), but on average, a 2-cubic-foot bag weighs between 20 to 40 pounds.