Here it is, the amazing, incredible, mulch show!  Ok, so mulch isn’t that exciting but it is a very useful ground cover in our Zone 1 Garden and other areas to cover the soil, keep down competitive plants, and reduce our watering needs.

This show examines the following questions:

• What is mulch?
• Why should you use it?
• What can you use?
• Where can you get it and how much will it cost?
• How do you use it?

At the end of the show there is an example of calculating how much mulch you need for a project.  Here are some equations to help you calculate how much you will need.

1 cubic foot = 144 cubic inches.  Enough to cover 12 sq/ft to a depth of 1 inch or 1 sq/ft to a depth of 12 inches.

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.

To figure out how much mulch you need, figure out the area to be covered.  Measure the length and width in feet, then multiple them together.

(Length in Feet x Width in Feet) = Area

Ex: 10′x20′=200 sq/ft

Multiple the area by the depth in inches and divide that total by 12 to get the total number of cubic feet of mulch you need.

(Area x Depth)/12 = Cubic Feet of Mulch.

Ex: (200×4)/12= 66.6 Cubic Feet of Mulch

Armed with this number, when at the DIY store, you can divide it by the volume of the bag to see how many you need to buy or divide it by 27 when calling your bulk supplier to know how many scoops to order.  In either case, round your total up to the next whole number.

Ex: 66.6/2= 34 bags

-or-

66.6/27= 3 scoops

One of the issues I’ve been faced with recently is having to change a design and how it is to be installed while in the middle of working on it.  This show is about some things that we need in order to be able to do so most effectively. They are:

• Knowledge
• Skills
• Tools
• Materials
• Time

One item not included on this list, but that does get mentioned in the show, is what may be one of our most vital abilities: to accept and admit “I don’t know.”

Have you ever been out in a garden or other location and wanted to get a measurement only to realize you were missing your tape measure or other tool?  This show will help prepare you so are always able to get an approximate idea of the distances and spaces you are dealing with.  Here you will learn about:

• Using the body to estimate
• Tools as common reference
• Step length for walking off larger distances.