Florida Landscaping Guide: How to Calculate Cubic Yards of Mulch
Cubic Yard Calculator & Material Guide for Florida Landscaping
Use this guide to quickly and accurately calculate how many cubic yards of mulch, rock, sand, or soil you need for your landscaping project. Every product page on our website now includes a built-in Cubic Yard Calculator—but this page explains the math behind it, provides depth recommendations, and includes helpful examples for Florida homeowners.
Whether you're refreshing garden beds, installing decorative rock, leveling soil, or ordering mulch delivery in Ormond Beach, Holly Hill, Daytona Beach or anywhere else in Volusia or Flagler County, this guide ensures you get the correct amount the first time.
Use the Built-In Calculator on Any Product Page
Every product at Mulch and Stuff now includes a Cubic Yard Calculator that automatically converts your project dimensions into:
- Total cubic yards needed
- Bags (if offered for that product)
- Landscape fabric square footage
- Recommended number of staples
- Edging and connectors (if applicable)
Just enter length, width, and depth—the calculator handles the rest.
Visit any product page to try it:
Why Cubic Yards Matter for Florida Landscaping
Bulk materials—mulch, rock, sand, topsoil—are always sold by the cubic yard. One cubic yard equals:
- 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft)
- 46,656 cubic inches (36 in × 36 in × 36 in)
Understanding cubic yards ensures accurate ordering and prevents under-ordering (requiring a second delivery) or over-ordering (extra cost or waste).
Recommended Material Depths (Florida Conditions)
- Refreshing mulch: 2–3 inches
- New mulch installation: 3–4 inches
- Decorative rock: 1.5–2 inches
- Topsoil for leveling: 2–3 inches or more depending on grade
Florida’s heat and sandy soil require proper depth for moisture retention and weed control.
How to Calculate Cubic Yards (Step-by-Step)
1. Measure Your Area
Record the length and width in feet.
2. Convert Depth from Inches to Feet
Divide inches by 12.
Example: 3 inches deep = 0.25 feet
3. Find Cubic Feet
Multiply: length × width × depth (in feet)
4. Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards
Divide by 27.
Example: 75 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 2.78 cubic yards
Quick Coverage Estimates
For every 100 square feet of coverage:
- 2 inches: ~0.62 cubic yards
- 3 inches: ~0.93 cubic yards
- 4 inches: ~1.24 cubic yards
- 5 inches: ~1.54 cubic yards
Calculating for Different Shapes
Rectangles & Squares
Use: length × width × depth
Circles
Formula: 3.14 × (radius²) × depth
Tip: Radius = half the total width (diameter) of the circle.
Materials Sold by the Cubic Yard
- Mulch (brown, black, red, cypress)
- Decorative rock (white river rock, brown/white, brown/red)
- #57 limestone gravel
- Sand (mason sand, play sand, fill sand)
- Soil, topsoil, fill dirt
- Compost and soil blends
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many cubic yards fit in a pickup truck?
A standard pickup typically holds 0.5 to 1.0 cubic yards depending on the bed size and weight limits.
How deep should mulch be in Florida?
For best weed suppression and moisture control: 3–4 inches for new beds, 2–3 inches for refreshes.
Does rock settle over time?
No—unlike mulch, decorative rock does not break down, though it may settle slightly after heavy rainfall.
How many bags equal one cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. Most bagged mulch is sold in 0.5 cubic foot bags, requiring 54 bags per cubic yard.
Do you deliver mulch and rock?
Yes! Mulch and Stuff delivers throughout Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, and all of Volusia County. Delivery fees are based on driving distance.
Need Help Calculating Your Project?
Call us anytime at 386-302-6444 or visit any product page to use our built-in Cubic Yard Calculator for instant results.
Mulch and Stuff by Smart Choice
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