How to Calculate How Much Landscaping Material Your Project Needs

One of the most common challenges when planning a landscaping project is determining how much material to purchase.

Ordering too little can delay a project, while ordering too much can increase costs and leave you with unused material.

Fortunately, a few simple measurements can help you estimate your needs.

Step 1: Measure the Area

For a rectangular area, multiply the length by the width to determine the square footage.

For example, an area measuring 20 feet long by 10 feet wide is 200 square feet.

For irregularly shaped areas, divide the space into smaller sections, calculate each section separately, and add the results together.

Step 2: Determine the Desired Depth

Materials such as bark, mulch, and gravel are typically estimated by both area and depth.

Convert the desired depth from inches into feet by dividing the number of inches by 12.

Step 3: Calculate Cubic Feet

Multiply the square footage by the depth in feet.

For example, covering 200 square feet at a depth of 3 inches requires:

200 × 0.25 = 50 cubic feet.

Step 4: Convert to Cubic Yards

There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard.

Divide the cubic footage by 27 to estimate the quantity in cubic yards.

In this example, 50 cubic feet is approximately 1.85 cubic yards.

Remember That Material Matters

Different products settle, compact, and spread differently. Project conditions and installation requirements can affect the final quantity needed.

Dixon Landscape Materials provides a variety of landscape products, along with a coverage chart to help customers plan their material needs.

Taking accurate measurements before purchasing supplies can make your landscaping project easier to organize and help you avoid unnecessary delays.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

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