A cubic yard of compost can cover 100 square feet at a depth of 3 inches. This ratio is helpful when spreading mulch, as 3 inches is an ideal depth. A cubic yard contains 27 bags with 0.75 cubic feet per bag. The cost ranges from $25 to $50 per yard. To determine how much you need, multiply the area by the depth in inches then by 0.0031 to get cubic yards. For example, 240 square inches by 2 inch depth is 115,200 cubic inches. Divided by 46,656 equals 2.47 cubic yards needed.
Screened compost with particle sizes less than 3/8 inch is best for lawns. Dry compost is 800-1,000 pounds per cubic yard. Standard 40 pound bags cover 12 square feet at 1 inch depth. Recommended amount is 25 percent compost when filling planters.
How much compost is needed for 1000 sq ft?
To determine amount needed, multiply area by depth in inches then by 0.0031 for cubic yards.
How much does a yard of compost weigh?
The weight can vary depending on moisture content and materials used. On average, a yard weighs 1,000 to 1,200 pounds. A cubic yard of dry compost weighs around 800 lbs. Wet compost can weigh up to 1,500 lbs due to water retention. The composition impacts weight. Compost with wood chips might be lighter than one with denser organic matter.
A half cubic yard weighs 400-600 lbs, or 0.2-0.3 tons. This range helps figure out how much you can handle based on needs.