Guides

How Much Gravel Do I Need?

A step-by-step method to size a gravel order in cubic yards, tons, and 50 lb bags for driveways, paths, and landscape beds.

Gravel Size Guide: 3/8, 3/4, and 1 1/2 Inch

Which gravel size works best for driveways, paths, drainage, and decorative beds, and how sizes affect coverage and compaction.

Gravel vs Crushed Stone

The practical differences between naturally rounded gravel and mechanically crushed stone, and where each is the right choice.

Gravel Coverage Chart

Square feet of coverage per cubic yard of gravel at common depths, with quick conversion between yards, tons, and 50 lb bags.

How Many Cubic Yards Do I Need?

Convert any length, width, and depth measurement to cubic yards using a simple formula, then adjust for waste and round for bulk ordering.

Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards, Explained

The conversion from cubic feet to cubic yards, why the divisor is 27, and how to handle inches and mixed units.

Cubic Yard Coverage Chart

How much area 1 cubic yard covers at common depths, from a light top dressing to a full driveway base.

How Much Does a Cubic Yard Weigh?

Typical weights per cubic yard for gravel, topsoil, mulch, sand, and concrete, and how moisture and material type change them.

How Much Mulch Do I Need?

Step-by-step method to size a mulch order in cubic yards and 2 cubic foot bags for beds, borders, and tree rings.

Mulch Depth Guide

How deep to mulch different plants, and why more is not always better for tree and shrub health.

Bagged Mulch vs Bulk Mulch

Cost, convenience, and quality trade-offs between bagged mulch from a home center and a bulk delivery from a landscape yard.

Mulch Coverage Chart

Square feet of mulch coverage per cubic yard and per 2 cubic foot bag at common depths.

How Much Topsoil Do I Need?

How to size a topsoil order for a lawn top-dressing, raised bed, or grade repair using cubic yards.

Topsoil Depth Guide

Recommended topsoil depths for lawns, raised beds, grading, and shrub planting, with the reasoning for each.

Topsoil vs Garden Soil vs Compost

How topsoil, garden soil, and compost differ, and how to blend them for lawns, beds, and raised planters.

How Much Does Topsoil Weigh?

Weight of screened topsoil per cubic yard, per bag, and how moisture changes hauling and shipping calculations.

How Much River Rock Do I Need?

Method to size a river rock order in cubic yards, tons, and bags for ground cover, dry creek beds, and decorative borders.

River Rock Size Guide

How to pick the right river rock size for pathways, ground cover, dry creek beds, and decorative features.

River Rock vs Gravel

Practical differences between smooth river rock and angular crushed gravel, and when to use each.

River Rock Coverage Chart

Coverage per cubic yard and per 50 lb bag of river rock at common depths, with a weight quick-reference.

How Much Concrete Do I Need?

Step-by-step method for sizing a concrete order in cubic yards, 60 lb bags, and 80 lb bags for slabs, footings, and driveways.

Concrete Bags per Yard: 60 lb and 80 lb Conversions

How many 60 lb and 80 lb bags of premix concrete make up one cubic yard, with per-bag yield and cost break-even points.

Concrete Slab Thickness Guide

Recommended concrete slab thickness for patios, sheds, garages, driveways, and workshop floors, with rebar and mesh guidance.

Concrete Cost per Yard: Ready-Mix vs Bagged

Typical delivered ready-mix concrete cost per cubic yard, short-load fees, and how bagged premix compares by project size.

How Much Gravel for a French Drain?

Step-by-step method for sizing a french drain gravel order in cubic yards, tons, and bags of washed drainage stone.

French Drain Slope Guide

Minimum and recommended slope for a french drain, how to calculate required drop over the run, and how to hit daylight at the outlet.

French Drain Pipe Size Guide

When to use 3 inch, 4 inch, or 6 inch perforated pipe in a french drain, and the difference between corrugated and rigid PVC.

French Drain vs Swale: Which One Do I Need?

How to choose between a subsurface french drain and a shallow surface swale for yard drainage, with cost, maintenance, and flow-capacity trade-offs.