Mulch can be any kind of materials that are laid over or spread on the soil surface as a covering. Usually, most mulches are organic in nature which can be both temporary or permanent.
Usually used around the existing plants or on bare soil to retain the moisture of the soil. Mulch is also beneficial to suppress any weeds which ultimately keeps the soil cool. Mulch makes the garden bed look attractive and prevents frost heaving in the winter season.
In addition, mulches help the soil to improve the structure, nutrient holding capacity, and drainage capacity as well. Most of the mulch are made from wood products, compost, lawn clippings, Leafmold & Straw.
So How Much Does A Bag Of Mulch Weigh?
Mulch weight depends on many factors which include making materials, wet or dryness etc. Most mulches weigh around 20 pounds to 50 pounds or 9.07 to 22.67 kg. So, the weight per cubic yard of mulch can be around 400 pounds to 800 pounds or 181 kg to 362 kg depending on the dry process.
On average a bag of dry shredded wood mulch can weigh around 20 pounds or 9.07 kg. Mulch saturated with water can weigh almost double that of the mulch made from dry woods. It is assumed that a 2.5 cubic feet bag of straw mulch can weigh around 50 pounds or 22.67 kg or more.
How Much Does A Bag Of Mulch Cover?
Professionals recommend installing mulch at 2 to 4 inches thickness. So, one bag of mulch that is installed at 2-inch thickness can cover 12 square feet, and installed at 4-inch thickness can cover 6 square feet.
How Much Does Mulch Cost?
Mulch cost depends on how you are buying. On general mulch for one cubic yard will cost you between $15 to $65 or more. So, if you buy mulch in a big amount it will cost less per yard. However, if you buy mulch based per bag then it will cost you $2 to $5.5 per bag.
If you want professionals to install your mulch then you have to spend an additional $20 to $25 per cubic yard or $43 to $98 per hour. This price range depends on the professionals and how they charge. So if you are an avid DIYer then you can avoid installations by professionals and can do the job by yourself.
What Are The Benefits Of Mulch?
- Mulch improves soil quality when they break down.
- Mulch protects your land from high temperatures and helps soils to keep the plant’s roots cool during the summer and warm weather.
- Mulch helps soils to retain water and slow down moisture evaporation which ultimately remains water in the soils for a longer time and provides necessary water to the thirsty plant roots.
- Mulch prevents weeds grow fast from taking over the landscape by blocking their access to the sunlight.
- Mulch increase any curbs appealing by adding color and manicured look to the landscape bed. So, mulching on any foundation of your home, around the trees and in between garden beds will increase the attractiveness.
- Mulch also protects plant crowns from cold winter.
What Are The Most Common mulch materials?
Mulch is mainly made from Grass clippings, Cocoa shells, straw, compost, shredded hardwood, rubber, stone, chopped leaves, pine straw, bark chips, wood chips etc. Among these materials, wood chips and bark chips are the most commonly used mulch materials.
What Is The Best Time To Apply Mulch?
Early spring (sometimes mid or late spring) or late winter is the perfect time to mulch. You can easily mulch at the end of the winter season, to protect the soil from erosion but you should examine the soil before spring.
A thin mulch layer is suitable for the roots to grow faster. So, mulching too early will slow down the warming process which the soils need to complete their job.
Fun Facts
>>Rocks as mulch have some surprising effects in growing your plants fast as they absorb sun heat and give the plants more incentive to grow.
>>You can just use old newspaper to make mulch which can kill weeds by blocking the sun!
>>Seaweed is a wonderful mulch that adds crucial minerals and nutrients to garden soils!
>>It is believed that Scottish & Irish farmers first introduced mulching!
