How Much Is Too Much? Smart Tips for Ordering Bulk Mulch and Gravel for Residential Landscape Work

Thinking about ordering a truckload of mulch or gravel for your yard? Whether you're sprucing up flower beds or building a new pathway, choosing the right material—and ordering it the right way—can save you time, money, and a serious headache.

I'm not a landscape designer (I draw stick figures), but I've sold and loaded tens of thousands of yards of mulch and gravel. As someone who's helped hundreds of homeowners with improving their landscapes, I can tell you: the most common mistakes happen before the mulch or gravel even hits the driveway. Here’s everything we walk through with our customers before they commit to that bulk delivery.

Why Mulch and Gravel Are Backyard Game-Changers

Let’s start with the basics. Both mulch and gravel are more than just filler—they play real functional roles in your yard.

Mulch Does More Than Look Nice

Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, holds in moisture, suppresses weeds, and slowly adds nutrients to your soil as it breaks down. It also gives your beds that clean, polished look that makes everything pop.

Gravel Adds Structure and Solves Drainage Issues

Gravel, on the other hand, is durable and low-maintenance. It’s perfect for paths, borders, or anywhere you want to set it and forget it. It doesn’t decompose, won’t attract bugs, and can last for years with little upkeep.

Here is a good rule of thumb: mulch where things grow or places you might plant seasonally; gravel where you walk, where water flows, or a landscape you don’t plan on changing for a long time.

Mulch vs. Gravel: What Works Best Where?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Mulch adds nutrients and holds moisture. Gravel prevents erosion and creates a clean, hardscape look. Many of our customers end up using both in different parts of the yard.

Know Your Materials: Types of Mulch and Gravel

Mulches

• Shredded “Reground” Hardwood Bark: A beautiful, natural, medium-brown mulch. Ours is 100% red oak bark.
  
  

• Rough Cut “Coarse”: Pine bark straight from the debarking process. This inexpensive option provides incredible coverage for the money.
  
  

• Dyed Hardwood Chip (Red, Black, or Brown): if you need a mulch with a bit more color and extra pop, this is the way to go.
  
  

Common Gravels

• Pea Gravel: Small, round stones for play areas or casual paths.
  
  

• Crushed Stone: Sharp edges lock together, great for driveways. Larger sizes can be used in ditches. Also a great inexpensive alternative to the more decorative river rock.
  
  

• River Rock: Comes in many sizes and colors. Usually a smooth edged stone. Sizes range from ¾” to as large as 12”, but the most commonly used size is 1”-2”. The versatility of river rock is second to none.
  
  

How Much Should You Order? Here's the Math

This is where a lot of people get tripped up. At The Feed Store, bulk mulch and gravel are sold by the scoop, and it’s easy to misjudge how far that really goes.

Use this simple formula:

Square feet × depth (in inches) ÷ 324 = cubic yards needed

Cubic yards needed ÷ 0.6 = scoops needed

*324 represents the number of square feet a cubic yard will cover at a depth of 1”.

**Our scoop holds approximately 0.6 cubic yards.

Suggested Depths:

• Mulch: 2" for topping off, 3" for new beds
  
  

• Gravel: 2-4", depending on use
  
  

Example: If your front flower bed is 400 sq ft and you want 3 inches of mulch:

400 × 3 ÷ 324 = ~3.7 cubic yards

3.7 ÷ 0.6 = 6.16 scoops

Always round up a little. It’s better to have extra than run short halfway through spreading.

Delivery vs Pickup: Which One's Better?

Bulk Delivery Pros:

• You can get more done at one time
  
  

• No hauling or loading yourself
  
  

• Great for large jobs
  
  

Pickup Pros:

• Works on your schedule
  
  

• See the product as it's being loaded
  
  

• You don't have a big pile of material to move all at once

• Bonus: You can take a break between loads!
  
  

If you go with delivery, prep your site. Clear a space, lay down a tarp if need be, and make sure the truck has access. We’ve seen plenty of times our driver has had to turn away from tight spots, wet lawns or steep slopes—which means you'll be hauling wheelbarrows from the curb. But hey, if the curb's where you want it, that's cool too!

Avoid These Common Mistakes

• Over-ordering: You don’t need 6" of mulch—you’ll just smother your plants.
  
  

• Under-ordering: Running short mid-project means wasted time and potentially extra delivery fees.

• Ordering sight-unseen: Our samples are meant to be helpful, but because mulch and rock are natural products, it is a very good idea to look at the product in the bay before finalizing a decision. Believe me, it’s not fun for anyone when a homeowner discovers the material is not to their liking after it has already been delivered.
  
  

• "Mulch volcanoes": Don’t pile mulch against tree trunks. It leads to rot and pest problems.
  
  

• Wrong gravel type: Don’t use round stone on slopes or in driveways.
  
  

• Skipping prep: Proper site prep (killing weeds, laying fabric, leveling, etc.) goes a long way towards preventing future work.
  
  

Should You Use Landscape Fabric?

Under Mulch?

Not necessarily. Mulch eventually breaks down into soil on top of it anyway. A better way to suppress weeds in mulch beds is to use a pre-emergent herbicide

Under Gravel?

Yes, most of the time. It prevents weeds and keeps gravel from sinking into the soil. Use a high-quality spunbond fabric, or woven ground cover.

Final Pre-Order Checklist

✅ Measure your space and calculate the volume you need (use the cubic yard formula).

✅ Decide on the right depth for your project (2–3" for mulch, 2–4" for gravel).

✅ Pick the correct type of mulch or gravel for your area (don’t guess).

✅ Prepare your delivery site—flat, accessible, and with a tarp if needed.

✅ Double-check delivery availability and make sure someone is home during drop-off.

✅ Confirm that the material matches your order (color, size, texture).

✅ Make sure you have tools ready (wheelbarrow, rake, shovel, gloves).

✅ Schedule delivery for a dry stretch of weather if possible.

✅ Take a photo of the area beforehand—helps with before-and-after comparisons and planning future projects.

Final Thoughts

Ordering bulk mulch or gravel isn’t rocket science (or rock science), but a little planning goes a long way. Get your measurements right, choose the right material for the job, and make sure your site is ready for delivery.

If you're not sure what to order, or how much, don’t guess. Reach out to us or use an online calculator. A 15-minute consultation could save you a lot of work and a whole lot of frustration.

Got a mulch or gravel project in mind? Drop your questions below or schedule a quick call—I’m always happy to help homeowners get it done right the first time.