Short answer: Number the beds, measure each net footprint, and use each bed’s own new depth. Add the separate finished volumes before applying an allowance and rounding the purchase.
Swipe the diagram sideways to see every label. The full calculation is written below it.
Number and draw each bed
Sketch each separate footprint and give it a number. Measure length and width for rectangular beds; divide curves or tapers into checkable shapes. Exclude large paving or unmulched spaces once. Do not add the outside bounding rectangle around a curved bed as though it were all covered.
Record a depth for each bed
Area alone does not determine a purchase when depths differ. In the worked example, bed 1 is 20 × 8 ft at 3 inches and bed 2 is 12 × 6 ft at 2 inches. Calculate each area × its own depth ÷ 324, then add finished cubic yards. If existing mulch remains, measure the additional depth needed to reach the intended finished layer; see the mulch top-up guide.
Round once after adding volumes
Enter both beds as sections in the mulch and soil planner and override their depths. Add section volumes before applying the chosen order allowance and rounding bags or bulk sales increments. Confirm the bag size, minimum delivery, and where material can be unloaded.
Hypothetical worked example
Worked two-depth example: bed 1 is 20 × 8 = 160 sq ft at 3 in, or 160 × 3 ÷ 324 = 1.48 cu yd. Bed 2 is 12 × 6 = 72 sq ft at 2 in, or 72 × 2 ÷ 324 = 0.44 cu yd. Add the unrounded amounts for 1.93 finished cu yd before any purchase allowance; applying 3 in to all 232 sq ft would overstate this plan.
Which situation matches your project?
Limit to check: Each bed can have its own depth. The planner still assumes one mulch product, one soil product, and one waste allowance across the order.
Measuring at the site? The guided field workflow records outlines and cutouts, checks their placement, and makes a printable sheet before you choose materials.
YardSetup prepared this guide from the stated geometry and the linked references where provided. The adjustable example runs in your browser. See our formulas and limits or report an error.