The average cost to mulch your yard is $180. Depending on the area size, mulch type, and prep costs, the project could cost as little as $100 or as much as $350 for the average project.
While the perks of adding mulch to your garden are nearly endless, how much does mulch cost? Expect to pay between $35 and $170 per cubic yard, or an average of $90 per cubic yard, for mulch installation costs. For a project, the average price is $180, or between $100 and $350.
Mulch provides moisture and protects your garden from erosion and weeds. The price of a yard of mulch varies based on material, delivery, and installation method. Let's look at mulch costs and all the variables that affect the bottom line.
When you look at your garden and calculate the cost of mulch for your flower beds, you'll need to ask yourself how much mulch costs per yard. Most professional gardens and garden stores will list bulk prices in this measurement.
| Item | Average Cost, Per Yard |
|---|---|
| Mulch (material only) | $15–$80 |
| Delivery | $20–$80, plus a flat fee of $50–$100 |
| Installation | $20–$50 |
From vegetable gardens to new trees, you’ll need to account for multiple costs when it comes to mulch. Due to the many types of mulch on the market and the varying cost of mulch installation, the cost range can be quite extreme. Let's break the price of mulch installation down further so you have a better idea of your costs. For a precise quote on your project, consult a mulching company near you.
Mulch costs between $15 and $80 for materials alone. Organic mulch costs the most but could be worth it if you live in a dry area where moisture retention is a major goal. Likewise, if you are mulching a significant area, going with an economical mulch might be better for your budget. More expensive raw materials like cedar or cypress will drive the price up on a cost-per-yard basis.
| Type of Mulch | Average Cost (Materials Only), Per Yard |
|---|---|
| Economy | $15–$35 |
| Hardwood | $25–$45 |
| High-end organic | $40–$80 |
The size of the area you are mulching dramatically impacts the total price you pay. For bulk mulch, the more you buy, the less you’ll pay per yard. However, the bigger the area you are mulching, the bigger the cost of having mulch delivered and spread.
| Amount of Mulch in Yards | Average Cost, per Yard |
|---|---|
| 1 | $65+ |
| 1.5 | $55–$65 |
| 2-6 | $45–$55 |
| 6-11 | $30–$45 |
| 11+ | $15–$30 |
Bulk mulch delivery is by the truckload and costs $20–$80 per yard, plus a flat fee of $50–$100. Most truckload deliveries start at 2 yards of mulch (or 13.5 bags). For a single-axle truck, you can expect a standard delivery size of 10 to 30 yards, or 67.5 to 202.5 bags worth of much.
Some local mulch companies offer free delivery if you live in a certain proximity to their location or will offer discounted rates for larger orders. Conversely, if you live a long distance from the shop, you might incur additional fees for delivery. Always inquire about delivery rates to know exactly where your money will go.
For smaller projects like flower beds, mulch will be delivered in bags. For larger landscaping projects, pallets or loose mulch will be delivered. To ensure a smooth delivery, lay a tarp down to direct your mulch delivery company on where to unload it.
Mulching a large area is a lot of work, so hiring someone to mulch your yard might be worth it. Most local landscaping companies and mulch delivery companies charge a flat fee of $60 to $110 per hour for mulch installation. On average, a two-person crew can install up to 3 yards of mulch in one hour.
Where you live will affect the mulch costs for a few reasons. General overhead costs in your area affect the cost of materials, delivery, and labor rates. You may also pay more for installation in hard-to-access areas of your lawn, such as on steep slopes or surrounding complex water elements around your home.
Your total mulch costs depend on the type you use. Costs are broken down into cubic yards, accounting for the depth and land area being covered. So, based on mulch type, you can expect to pay anywhere from $35 to $170 per cubic yard installed. Here are some common types of mulch and the price you might pay for delivery.
| Mulch Type | Average Cost Installed, per Yard | Average Cost Installed, per Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Bark | $95 | $5 |
| Cedar mulch | $110 | $4 |
| Cypress mulch | $115 | $4.50 |
| Hemlock mulch | $50 | $2 |
| Leaf mulch | $45 | $2 |
| Pine bark | $40 | $2 |
| Plastic mulch | $35 | $1.50 |
| Rubber mulch | $90 | $4 |
| Shredded hardwood mulch | $45 | $2 |
| Straw | $40 | $2 |
Ordering organic mulch can also drive the price up to as much as $170 per square foot. Organic mulch often has better nutrient profiles, soil protection, and moisture retention. Grass clippings are also one of the most common mulch alternatives to traditional options. While grass mulch will not include a dense enough layer to receive all the benefits, it is a no-cost way to add nutrients to the area.
Opt for naturally hued or dyed mulch to complement the design of your yard. Dyed mulch can cost a bit more on average, but you can also find plenty of mulch varieties in their original color that work just as nicely. Some colors, such as striking brown or black hardwood, will cost more simply because of their materials.
| Mulch Color | Mulch Material | Average Cost Range per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Rubber | $120–$140 |
| Red | Cypress | $100–$110 |
| Brown | Walnut | $30–$40 |
| Brown | Rubber | $130–$140 |
| Brown | Pine bark | $25–$40 |
| Tan | Cypress bark | $30–$60 |
| Black | Hardwood | $40–$70 |
| Black | Rubber | $60–$150 |
| Green or blue | Dyed wood chips/straw | $40–$60 |
Large gardening projects have a habit of linking to other common costs. Build a full budget by considering the services that can pop up when considering mulch costs on their own.
Are you starting from scratch and making way for a new garden? Clearing land costs between $250 and $2,800 per half-acre. The wide price range accounts for DIY jobs with basic hand tools and rentable mulchers. The higher range accounts for large-scale projects.
Forestry mulching, for example, is an intensive project that uses a large, complex piece of equipment that clears a dense patch of forest and the undergrowth. Professionals charge between $150 and $300 per hour for the service.
Is your lawn too steep to handle a veggie garden? Leveling your yard costs an average of $2,200, depending on its size and the extent of the slope. You can also DIY the process in some cases for about $400.
Pulling weeds up by hand is always an option, but be sure to get to the root of the problem before laying mulch. Professional weed abatement costs between $35 and $80 when paired with other lawn maintenance services, or between $70 and $150 on its own.
Another way to keep weeds at bay is by laying mulching sheets below the mulch itself. Professionals may recommend this to keep your mulch in place longer as well. The extra process adds between $0.20 and $0.65 per square foot.
If you're working with a large area and want to trim labor costs, mulch blowing may be an option. You'll pay between $40 and $60 per cubic yard for mulch blowing compared to up to $70 per cubic yard for hand-spreading.
Bringing in the professionals for more than just mulch? Landscapers charge between $50 and $100 per hour for their services, but costs vary widely depending on the job. Flower bed installation, for example, costs anywhere from $800 to $3,000.
Whether winterizing your garden or planting spring flowers, you'll save around $0.20 per square foot by learning how to install mulch yourself, perhaps more if you're spreading rubber mulch or a higher-end product.
Installing mulch isn't that difficult, although if you're spreading a bulk amount, you may need access to wheelbarrows or even a pickup truck to spread large loads more easily. A rake and a shovel are the two main pieces of equipment you'll need. You can also follow some popular mulching tips to prolong the life of your plants and the mulch bed itself.
However, this can be a time-consuming task that requires a lot of bending and lifting. Calling a local mulching company can take this task off your plate and save you the need for a back brace.
If you’re tackling a small project, like mulching a small flowerbed, buying mulch from your local hardware store might be beneficial. At $2 to $15 a bag, you’ll save on the overall project cost since you’ll save on labor. Each bag of mulch is two cubic feet worth, and just under 14 bags make up a cubic yard.
The major downside of purchasing bulk from a local hardware store is the lack of options available. Local mulch delivery companies have more options available, so you can build a mulch bed that works best for your project.
Mulch adds color to your landscape, enhances soil, suppresses weeds, and improves plant health, but it can get expensive, especially if you’re mulching a large area. Here are some tips that will make your next mulching project more affordable. If you’re really in the DIY mood, you can always learn how to make mulch to save on material costs.
Mulches come in a variety of colors and styles. Opting for a higher-end organic mulch or alternative product, such as low-maintenance rubber mulch, might set you back a few extra dollars.
Instead, you might consider getting the same color mulch for smaller areas and mixing and matching. Use red or black hardwood mulch around trees or garden beds and the rubber kind for any sections that are purely aesthetic.
Spring and early summer are the two most popular times for homeowners to order mulch. Prices may reflect current market demands, so shopping in early spring can help you save money. Some vendors will let you lock in your price for materials and installation if you purchase during winter.
You’re all geared up to get the mulching job done, but you’ll need to figure out how much mulch you need before you start ordering. Calculate the square feet of the area you want to cover to figure this out. Let’s say you want to mulch a 10-by-20-foot space. Multiply the width and length (10 x 20) to get 200 square feet.
Depending on what you’re working on, you’ll need anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of mulch. For this example, let’s assume you need 2 inches of mulch.
If you plan on ordering mulch by the truckload, you’ll need to know how many cubic yards of mulch to order. To find this number, multiply the square footage by the number of inches (200 x 2), which comes out to 400 square feet.
Next, divide the total by 324. In this example, 400 square feet divided by 323 is 1.23 cubic yards.
Bags of mulch are sold by the cubic foot, so the math for this is a little different. Multiply the number of square feet you want to cover by the depth of the mulch as follows:
1-inch deep: 0.83
2-inch deep mulch: 0.167
3-inch deep mulch: 0.25
4-inch deep much: 0.33
So, for this example, multiply 200 square feet by 0.167 to get 33.4 cubic feet.
Assuming you’re buying mulch bags that are two cubic feet each, you need to divide your answer above (33.4 cubic feet) by 2. So you know you’ll need 17 bags of mulch.
As a side note: If you’re not into math, you can ask your mulching company for assistance and skip the multiplication and division. A mulching pro can help you calculate how much mulch you’ll need for your landscaping project.
Shredded hardwood black mulch and red mulch are the two best types of mulch for landscaping purposes. They last a few seasons, look nice in your yard, and are on the affordable end of the price spectrum, about $40 or less per cubic yard. Contact your local mulch delivery pro to discuss which mulch type works best for your needs.
Each bag of mulch includes 2 cubic feet of mulch. And since a cubic yard is about 27 cubic feet of materials, you'll need 14 bags of mulch to have enough to cover a cubic yard. The right amount of mulch for your yard, however, depends on the depth of the mulch, the type of mulch you choose, and your desired look.
Mulch is delivered by the truckload (bulk), per bag (2 cubic yards), or paid for by scoop (covers about half a cubic yard). You can calculate how much mulch you'll need by doing a per-bag, per-truck, or per-scoop breakdown of the space you'll be covering. Keep in mind that you will save money by opting for the truck delivery method.
If your mulch delivery company or landscaper installs mulch around multiple spots in your yard (especially if they are more complex areas), feel free to tip up to $15 a person. However, there's no need to tip for a standard mulch drop done in your driveway or on a tarp.
The best time to lay mulch depends on the reason for mulching and the type of mulch you’re adding:
In summer, adding extra mulch can help keep weeds at bay and help the soil retain moisture, allowing plants to thrive.
In the fall, adding mulch helps control weeds and keeps soil and roots warm during the cooler months. Aim to add a layer of mulch 2 to 4 inches deep.
In the colder months of winter, mulch around perennial plants to help keep them insulated.
In the spring, wait until the ground has thawed before adding mulch. Depending on the thickness, add between 1 and 4 inches of mulch to provide freeze and rain protection and enrich the soil.
