How do I calculate the measurement for pine straw?

[LawnMastersAtlanta]

I have to bid a hotel property for pine straw installation. I have not done a job this big. How do I calculate how many bales of pine straw needed for the job? Please Help. Thanks.

[lawnspecialties]

I've done enough straw jobs, for the most part, I can just eyeball it and be pretty close. If I were you, I'd get a bale from your supplier (the exact bales you'll use for the job). Then spread the straw like you would for this job at the depth you'd put it and then measure off the sq. ft. that the whole bale covered. Then take your total sq. footage and divide by the sq. footage the bale covered and you'll have a pretty close estimate.

[tjsquickcuts]

how big is the area you are planning to drop straw down on......From personal knowledge, I think each bale covers about 18 to 20 sq ft. very fluffy and thick....I hate it when I see guys cheating their customers by putting down a thin layer......JMO....I am sure others have other calculation