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Replace organic mulch every one to two years, depending on the variety. Wood chips and straw, for example, will last a couple of years, while grass clippings and pine needles need replacing every several months. Inorganic mulch—such as rock and rubber chips—can stay in place for up to four years, depending on erosion and general garden upkeep. 

Each bag of mulch includes 2 cubic feet of mulch. And since a cubic yard is about 27 cubic feet of materials, you'll need 14 bags of mulch to have enough to cover a cubic yard. The right amount of mulch for your yard, however, depends on the depth of the mulch, the type of mulch you choose, and your desired look.

You can choose from various kinds of organic mulch and inorganic mulch. Organic mulch may be in the form of wood chips, pine needles, and compost and eventually decompose. Inorganic mulch, such as gravel, rocks, and landscape fabric, is more durable but doesn’t help the soil.

Nonorganic mulch, like river rocks, pebbles, or lava rock, technically lasts the longest. It helps with moisture retention and weed control but doesn’t break down and release nutrients like organic mulch. Wood mulch decomposes slowly, which can help it last longer than leaf or straw mulch, but it won’t provide as many nutrients as quickly as the faster decomposing types.