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Need to determine the exact amount of soil for a pot, planter, or raised bed? Put the pen and paper away! Here you’ll find a simple calculator that does all the hard work for you.
Simply input the width, length, and depth of your bed, then we’ll show you a precise figure in cubic feet or quarts. That way, you won’t have to overspend next time you’re picking up soil!
Soil for pots
When it comes to pots and planters, you’ll want to use a high-quality potting mix that is specifically designed for container gardening. Potting mix is a lightweight and well-draining mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite that is perfect for growing plants in containers.
To figure out how much you need, just measure the length, width, and depth of your container. Then, multiply those three numbers together to get the total volume of the container.
For example, if your container is 10 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 6 inches deep, the total volume would be 480 cubic inches.
Next, determine how much potting mix you need by using 1 gallon of potting mix for every 6 inches of container depth.
Soil for raised beds
If you’re working with raised beds, you’ll want to use a rich, loamy soil that is a mix of clay, sand, and organic matter. This type of soil will provide the drainage and nutrients that your plants need to thrive.
To determine the amount of soil needed, measure the length and width of the bed. Then, multiply those two numbers together to get the total area of the bed.
Next, determine the depth of soil needed. A good rule of thumb is to use at least 6 inches of soil in a raised bed. To calculate the total amount of soil needed, multiply the total area of the bed by the depth of soil.
For example, if your raised bed is 4 feet by 8 feet and you want to use 6 inches of soil, you would need 16 cubic feet of soil.
