Cedar Mulch Calculator
Calculate cedar mulch in bags or cubic yards. Includes coverage, weight, and cost comparisons.
Cedar Mulch Calculator
Bags, yards, coverage, and weight for cedar mulch
Why Choose Cedar Mulch?
Cedar mulch repels pests and lasts longer than any other organic mulch. The natural cedar oils thujone and cedrol drive away termites, ants, moths, and fleas without chemicals. This makes cedar the top pick for foundation beds, patios, and play areas where insects are a problem. Cedar mulch lasts 3 to 5 years, which is the longest lifespan of any organic mulch. It decomposes slower than hardwood because the dense fiber and oils resist breakdown. Cedar is also sustainably sourced. Eastern redcedar is invasive across much of the United States, so harvesting it for mulch is an eco-friendly form of land management. The Mulch and Soil Council (MSC) certifies cedar products for purity and consistent particle size.
How Much Cedar Mulch Do I Need?
You need Length x Width x Depth in inches / 324 cubic yards of cedar mulch. A 20 x 10 ft bed at 3 inches deep needs 1.85 cubic yards or 25 bags of 2 cubic foot cedar. The formula L x W x D / 324 gives cubic yards directly when depth is in inches. One cubic yard of cedar fills 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet. Add a 10 percent buffer for settling, as the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) recommends. For example, a 1.85 yard bed rounds up to about 2 yards delivered. Apply cedar at 2 to 3 inches in flower beds and 3 to 4 inches around trees and shrubs. Keep cedar 3 inches off the trunk to prevent bark rot, a rule set by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
What Is the Cedar Coverage Chart?
The cedar coverage chart shows how far one cubic yard spreads at each depth. One cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, and 81 sq ft at 4 inches. Use these numbers to plan bags or bulk orders fast.
| Depth | Coverage per Cubic Yard | Best Use | Bags Needed (2 cu ft) per Yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | Top-dress refresh | 13.5 |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | Flower beds | 13.5 |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | Standard beds | 13.5 |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | Trees and shrubs | 13.5 |
Cedar vs Cypress vs Hardwood: Which Is Best?
Cedar is best for pest control and longevity, cypress for water resistance, and hardwood for fast soil building. Cedar repels termites, ants, and moths, while cypress does not repel pests at all. Cedar lasts 3 to 5 years and outlasts cypress, which lasts 2 to 4 years. Hardwood lasts only 1 to 2 years but breaks down fast to feed the soil. Cedar costs more upfront but less per year because of its long life. The comparison table below sets the three side by side so you choose the right mulch for your bed.
| Feature | Cedar | Cypress | Hardwood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 3-5 years | 2-4 years | 1-2 years |
| Repels pests | Yes (thujone, cedrol) | No | No |
| Weight per yd³ | ~700 lbs | ~800 lbs | ~1,000 lbs |
| Cost per yd³ | $35-65 | $30-55 | $30-45 |
| Aroma | Strong, fades in 1-2 yrs | Mild | None |
| Best use | Foundation beds, play areas | Wet, low-lying beds | Vegetable and soil beds |
How deep should cedar mulch be?
Cedar mulch needs 2 to 3 inches in flower beds and 3 to 4 inches around trees and shrubs. Thinner than 2 inches lets weeds through. Thicker than 4 inches suffocates roots. Always keep cedar 3 inches away from tree trunks to stop bark rot. The 3 inch off-trunk rule comes from the ISA and protects the root flare.
Does cedar mulch lose its smell?
Cedar aroma fades within 1 to 2 years as the oils evaporate. The pest-repelling effect weakens as the smell drops. Top-dress with 1 inch of fresh cedar every 2 years to restore both the scent and the color. A light rake before refresh exposes new fibers and renews the aroma.
FAQ
A 100 sq ft bed at 3 inches deep needs 13 bags of 2 cubic foot cedar or 9 bags of 3 cubic foot cedar. Round up to the next whole bag. Order 14 bags of 2 cu ft to cover the 10 percent buffer.
Cedar mulch repels termites, ants, moths, and fleas through its oils thujone and cedrol. The effect is strongest in the first 1 to 2 years while the aroma is fresh. Cedar repels pests while cypress does not, which is why gardeners use cedar near foundations and patios.
Cedar mulch lasts 3 to 5 years, the longest of any organic mulch. Cypress lasts 2 to 4 years and hardwood lasts 1 to 2 years. Cedar decomposes slower than hardwood because of its dense fiber and natural oils.
A 500 sq ft bed at 3 inches deep needs 4.63 cubic yards of cedar or 63 bags of 2 cu ft. Order 5 cubic yards with the 10 percent buffer. That equals 125 cubic feet of cedar mulch total.
Cedar mulch is eco-friendly because eastern redcedar is invasive across much of the country. Harvesting it for mulch clears land that crowds out native grasses. The Mulch and Soil Council (MSC) certifies cedar for clean, consistent product.
Cedar mulch costs $35 to $65 per cubic yard delivered in bulk. Bagged cedar costs $4 to $8 per 2 cu ft bag. Cedar costs more upfront than hardwood but less per year because it lasts 3 to 5 years.
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