Tools in This Collection
Soil Calculator
Convert coverage area and depth to cubic yards or bags of soil
Raised Bed Cost Calculator
Calculate soil volume and estimated cost for any raised bed dimensions
Container Garden Mix Calculator
Get the right ratios of compost, topsoil, and perlite for containers
Compost Ratio Calculator
Balance carbon-to-nitrogen ratios across your greens and browns
Compost Tea Calculator
Calculate dilution ratios for compost tea applications
Fertilizer Calculator
Convert NPK ratio and application rate to actual product quantities
Mulch Calculator
Estimate cubic yards of mulch needed for beds, trees, and shrubs
Lawn Fertilizer Schedule Calculator
Create a seasonal lawn feeding plan by grass type and region
Lawn Seed Calculator
Calculate seed quantities for overseeding and new lawn establishment
Calculate Soil, Compost, and Fertilizer for Your Garden
Raised beds fail when they're filled with the wrong mix — too much native soil compacts and drains poorly, too much peat dries out rapidly and becomes hydrophobic. The standard raised bed mix is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% amendments like perlite or vermiculite. A 4x8 foot bed at 12 inches deep requires 32 cubic feet — about 1.2 cubic yards — of this mix. These calculators give you accurate material quantities before you order deliveries or buy bags.
Soil Volume and Raised Bed Calculations
The Soil Calculator converts coverage area and depth to cubic yards or number of bags for topdressing or filling new beds. The Raised Bed Cost Calculator calculates cubic footage for any bed dimensions and estimates material costs based on soil type. The Container Garden Mix Calculator shows the right ratios of compost, topsoil, and perlite or vermiculite for containers — standard potting mix is lighter than garden soil to prevent compaction in containers.
Composting and Soil Amendment
A healthy compost pile requires a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 25-30:1. Carbon-rich 'browns' include straw (75:1), cardboard (400:1), and dried leaves (60:1). Nitrogen-rich 'greens' include kitchen scraps (15:1), fresh grass clippings (20:1), and coffee grounds (20:1). The Compost Ratio Calculator lets you input what you have and shows whether you need more browns or greens to hit the optimal balance. For liquid fertilizer from finished compost, the Compost Tea Calculator gives dilution ratios for different application methods.
The Fertilizer Calculator converts NPK ratio and recommended application rate to actual product amounts for your garden area. A 10-10-10 fertilizer applied at 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft requires 10 lbs of product per 1,000 sq ft. The Mulch Calculator estimates cubic yards of mulch needed at your target depth — 2-3 inches is standard for vegetable beds, 3-4 inches for trees and shrubs. Lawn care is handled by the Lawn Fertilizer Schedule Calculator for seasonal feeding plans and the Lawn Seed Calculator for overseeding and new establishment quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best soil mix for a raised bed?
The most common raised bed mix is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% perlite or vermiculite. This blend drains well, retains moisture, and provides good aeration for root growth. Mel's Mix — equal parts peat moss, compost, and coarse vermiculite — is a popular alternative for intensive planting. Avoid using pure native soil, which compacts in raised beds and drains poorly.
What is the right compost ratio for fast decomposition?
Aim for 25-30 parts carbon ('browns') to 1 part nitrogen ('greens') by weight. Maintain moisture at 40-60% — it should feel like a wrung-out sponge. Turn the pile every 1-2 weeks to add oxygen. A well-managed pile with the right ratio can produce finished compost in 4-8 weeks during warm weather. The Compost Ratio Calculator shows whether you need more browns or greens based on what materials you have available.
How deep should mulch be in a vegetable garden?
Apply 2-3 inches of mulch in vegetable beds — enough to suppress weeds and retain moisture without smothering low-growing plants or creating slug habitat. Around trees and shrubs, 3-4 inches is appropriate. Keep mulch 2-3 inches away from plant stems and tree trunks to prevent rot. One cubic yard of mulch covers approximately 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep.
How much fertilizer does a vegetable garden need?
Most vegetable gardens benefit from 1 lb of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per growing season, applied in split doses. With a 10-10-10 (10% nitrogen) granular fertilizer, that means 10 lbs per 1,000 sq ft total — typically applied as 5 lbs before planting and 5 lbs as a side-dress mid-season. Heavy feeders like corn and tomatoes need more; light feeders like beans (which fix their own nitrogen) need less.