Side-by-Side Comparison
Lawn & Garden
Mulch & Soil Coverage vs. Nursery Pots
Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Mulch & Soil Coverage
Nursery Pots
Bulk mulch, topsoil, and gravel are measured in Cubic Yards (27 cubic feet / 0.764 m³). One cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch depth, 162 sq ft at 2 inches (standard flowerbeds), or 108 sq ft at 3 inches (weed suppression), equivalent to 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft mulch.
Plant nursery containers are standardized by ANSI Z60.1 into 'Trade Gallons', where a nominal #1 Trade Gallon holds approximately 0.70–0.80 liquid gallons (2.6–3.0 L) and measures 6.0–6.5 inches in diameter, rather than a full US liquid gallon.
Specification Comparison Table
16 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Governing Standards
|
NIST Handbook 130 (Method of Sale for Mulch and Bulk Soils) | ANSI Z60.1 (Nursery Stock Specifications) |
|
Cubic Yard Formula
|
(Length in Feet × Width in Feet × Depth in Inches) ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards | — |
|
1 Cubic Yard Volume
|
27 cubic feet (0.764 cubic meters / 202 liquid gallons) | — |
|
Coverage at 1" Depth
|
324 square feet (30.1 square meters) | — |
|
Coverage at 2" Depth
|
162 square feet (15.1 square meters) | Standard flowerbed top-dressing | — |
|
Coverage at 3" Depth
|
108 square feet (10.0 square meters) | Standard weed barrier & tree rings | — |
|
Coverage at 4" Depth
|
81 square feet (7.5 square meters) | Playground mulch / raw grade build-up | — |
|
2.0 Cu Ft Bag Equivalent
|
13.5 bags = 1 Cubic Yard (Standard retail bag size) | — |
|
3.0 Cu Ft Bag Equivalent
|
9.0 bags = 1 Cubic Yard | — |
|
#1 Trade Gallon (1 Gal)
|
— | Top: 6.0–6.5" (15–17 cm) | Depth: 6.5–7.0" (17–18 cm) | True Vol: 0.70–0.80 liquid gal (2.6–3.0 L) |
|
#2 Trade Gallon (2 Gal)
|
— | Top: 8.5–8.75" (22 cm) | Depth: 8.5" (22 cm) | True Vol: 1.5–1.6 liquid gal (5.7–6.0 L) |
|
#3 Trade Gallon (3 Gal)
|
— | Top: 10.5–11.0" (27 cm) | Depth: 9.5–10.0" (24–25 cm) | True Vol: 2.6–2.9 liquid gal (9.8–11.0 L) |
|
#5 Trade Gallon (5 Gal)
|
— | Top: 10.75–12.0" (27–30 cm) | Depth: 10.5–11.5" (27–29 cm) | True Vol: 3.6–3.9 liquid gal (13.6–14.8 L) |
|
#7 Trade Gallon (7 Gal)
|
— | Top: 14.0" (35.6 cm) | Depth: 11.5" (29.2 cm) | True Vol: 6.0–6.5 liquid gal (22.7–24.6 L) |
|
#15 Trade Gallon (15 Gal)
|
— | Top: 17.5–18.0" (44–46 cm) | Depth: 15.0" (38 cm) | True Vol: 13.0–13.5 liquid gal (49.2–51.1 L) |
|
Standard 1020 Flat
|
— | 11.0 × 21.25 × 2.4 inches (28 × 54 × 6 cm) | Standard 72-cell plug seedling flat |