Yard projects: costs and calculators

Most of The Hosta Farm is about hostas. This section is about the yard around them: what drainage and mulch cost and how much material a job takes. Prices come from retailers, manufacturers and published contractor estimates, each with a link and the date we read it.

• French drain installation cost

  What a yard French drain, a dry well or a channel drain costs: materials at retail, contractor prices per linear foot, and when to call an engineer.

• Mulch calculator

  How much mulch a bed needs in cubic yards and in 2 and 3 cubic foot bags, with the formula, recommended depth by mulch type and bag and bulk prices.