Typical price range for 5 yards of mulch

Five yards of mulch typically costs between $40 and $150, depending on the type of mulch and where you buy it. The most common price you'll see is $50 to $100 for a standard delivery to your home. Bulk landscape suppliers and big-box stores like Home Depot or Lowe's usually charge less per yard than small garden centers, but they may have minimum order requirements or delivery fees that change the total.

The price difference comes down to what the mulch is made from. Dyed mulch (red or black) costs more than natural brown mulch. Specialty mulches like cedar or hardwood cost more than recycled wood chips. If you're picking it up yourself instead of having it delivered, you'll pay the lower end of the range. If the supplier delivers it, add $50 to $100 depending on how far away you live.

Key Takeaways

  • Five yards of mulch costs $40 to $150 depending on type and whether you pick it up or have it delivered.
  • Standard brown mulch is the cheapest option; dyed and specialty mulches cost significantly more per yard.
  • Delivery fees often run $50 to $100 and depend on your distance from the supplier.
  • Bulk landscape suppliers usually offer better per-yard pricing than garden centers, but may require a minimum order.
  • Picking up mulch yourself saves the delivery cost but requires a truck or trailer large enough to hold 5 cubic yards.

How mulch type affects what you'll pay

Natural wood mulch (untreated wood chips) is the least expensive option, usually $8 to $15 per yard. This is what most landscape contractors use for general ground cover. It breaks down faster than dyed mulch and fades to gray over time, but it's the right choice if you're covering a large area on a budget.

Dyed mulch—red, black, or brown—costs $12 to $25 per yard. The dye makes it last longer and keeps the color consistent through the season. Black dyed mulch is popular around foundation plantings because it makes green plants stand out. Red dyed mulch is common in Southern landscapes.

Specialty mulches like cedar, cypress, or hardwood cost $20 to $40 per yard. Cedar and cypress smell good and repel some insects, but they break down slowly and cost more upfront. Hardwood mulch (made from shredded hardwood trees) is denser than softwood and lasts longer, so some people find it worth the extra cost.

Pickup versus delivery costs

If you pick up the mulch yourself, you pay only the per-yard price with no delivery fee. Five yards takes up about 27 cubic feet of space—roughly the bed of a full-size pickup truck or a large utility trailer. Many suppliers will load it for you with a small front-end loader at no extra charge.

Delivery usually costs $50 to $100 for a local trip (within 10 to 15 miles of the supplier). Longer distances cost more. Some suppliers charge a flat delivery fee; others charge per mile. A few large retailers offer free delivery on orders over a certain amount, so it's worth asking. If you need the mulch spread and worked into your beds, add another $50 to $200 depending on the size of the area and your region.

Where to buy and compare prices

Home Depot and Lowe's sell bagged mulch by the bag (usually 2 cubic feet per bag) and sometimes offer bulk mulch delivery in certain areas. Buying 5 yards in bags costs more per yard than bulk, but it works if you don't have a truck. Call ahead to see if they deliver bulk mulch in your zip code.

Local landscape supply companies almost always have the best per-yard pricing and can deliver the same day or next day. Search "landscape supply" or "mulch delivery" in your area and call three or four places to compare. Many will quote you over the phone if you tell them your zip code and the type of mulch you want.

Recycling centers and municipal composting facilities sometimes sell mulch made from chipped tree waste at $5 to $10 per yard, but you usually have to pick it up yourself and the quality varies. Call your city or county public works department to learn about this option exists near you.

How much area 5 yards covers

Five cubic yards of mulch covers about 160 square feet at a depth of 3 inches, which is the standard depth for landscape beds. If you spread it 2 inches deep, it covers roughly 240 square feet. If you go 4 inches deep (useful in high-traffic areas or under trees), it covers about 120 square feet.

Measure your beds by multiplying length times width in feet, then add up all the areas. Divide the total by the square footage per yard to figure out how many yards you need. If your beds add up to 320 square feet and you want 3 inches deep, you need 2 yards. If they add up to 480 square feet at 3 inches, you need 3 yards.

Seasonal price changes

Mulch prices are lowest in fall and winter when demand drops. Spring (March through May) is peak season, and prices can rise 10 to 20 percent. Summer prices stay high through July, then begin to drop in August. If you can wait until September or October, you'll usually save money.

After heavy storms or in areas with lots of tree removal, mulch prices sometimes drop because suppliers have excess inventory. After a dry summer, prices may rise because fewer trees are being chipped. These swings are unpredictable, so don't count on them—but if you're flexible on timing, fall is always the cheapest season to buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to buy mulch in bags or bulk?

Bulk is almost always cheaper per cubic yard. Bagged mulch at a big-box store costs roughly $4 to $8 per bag (2 cubic feet), which works out to $100 to $160 per cubic yard. Bulk mulch costs $8 to $40 per yard depending on type. You need 135 bags to make 5 yards, so bagged mulch would cost $540 to $1,080 versus $40 to $200 for bulk.

Do I need to remove old mulch before spreading new mulch?

No. You can spread new mulch over old mulch if the old layer is less than 2 inches thick and not compacted. If it's thicker or matted down, rake it out first—old mulch that's packed down doesn't let water through. Never pile mulch more than 4 inches deep total, or it can trap moisture and rot plant stems.

What's the difference between mulch and wood chips?

Mulch is shredded or chipped wood, bark, or compost designed for landscape beds. Wood chips are larger, unshredded pieces usually made from tree removal and used for pathways or animal bedding. Mulch breaks down faster and looks neater in planting beds. Wood chips are cheaper but look rougher and take longer to decompose.

Can I use 5 yards of mulch in a vegetable garden?

Yes, but use untreated wood mulch or compost-based mulch, not dyed mulch. Dyes are not toxic, but they're unnecessary in a vegetable bed. Spread 2 to 3 inches around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch 3 to 4 inches away from plant stems to prevent rot.

How long does 5 yards of mulch last before I need to replace it?

Natural wood mulch breaks down in 12 to 18 months. Dyed mulch lasts 18 to 24 months. Specialty mulches like cedar last 2 to 3 years. You don't need to remove old mulch—just add a fresh 1 to 2 inch layer on top every year or two to maintain color and depth.