Welcome to our compost calculator page!

We understand that gardening enthusiasts come from all around the world, and that’s why we’ve created two easy-to-use calculators – one for our friends using the metric system and another for those who prefer imperial measurements.

For people like us, who measure our beds in feet but need to buy compost in litres, we’ve even created a mixed-measurements compost calculator!

Our compost calculator tools are designed to help you determine the amount of compost you’ll need to buy to fill your raised beds, ensuring you have the right amount to grow healthy, thriving plants.

How To Use The Compost Calculator

Input the size of your raised beds (or the rough size of your garden area) and to which depth you’d like to fill your beds. For most people, you’ll want to fill the very top of your raised beds to around 3 inches (7cm) with compost. You’ll likely fill the rest of the raised beds with other materials.

If you’d like to learn more about filling a raised bed, check out this article!

Why Accurate Compost Calculations Matter

The right amount of compost for your raised beds

When filling raised beds, knowing how much compost you need to purchase is crucial. Using the right amount of compost saves you money and contributes to your garden’s success.

Overestimating can lead to wasted resources while underestimating can result in insufficient plant nutrients. Our compost calculator will help you strike the perfect balance.

The importance of good compost

Good quality compost is vital in providing essential nutrients and improving soil structure, boosting water retention, and enhancing drainage. By using a rich, organic compost, you are setting your plants up for success, allowing them to grow strong and healthy.

Here’s a list of benefits of good quality compost:

• Improves soil structure: High-quality compost enhances the soil’s physical properties, helping to create a loose, well-aerated structure that allows plant roots to grow and access nutrients easily.
• Boosts water retention: Compost can hold several times its weight in water, which helps improve the soil’s water-holding capacity. This reduces the need for frequent watering and helps plants survive during periods of drought.
• Enhances nutrient availability: Good quality compost is rich in essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are vital for healthy plant growth. It also contains micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, and iron.
• Supports beneficial microorganisms: Organic compost fosters the growth of beneficial microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and earthworms, which contribute to soil fertility and help protect plants against diseases.
• Promotes strong root development: By improving soil structure and providing essential nutrients, compost encourages the development of robust root systems, which in turn leads to healthier, more resilient plants.
• Suppresses weeds: The use of compost can help suppress weed growth by making it harder for weed seeds to germinate and compete with your plants.
• Reduces soil erosion: The improved soil structure and increased water retention provided by compost help to reduce erosion caused by wind and water.
• Eco-friendly solution: Using compost is an environmentally friendly way to recycle organic waste, reduce landfill contributions, and decrease the need for chemical fertilizers.

By incorporating good quality compost into your gardening practices, you can enjoy these numerous benefits and contribute to a more sustainable and healthy environment. Compost is easy to make, and you can even make compost in small spaces by using a wormery!

Embracing the no-dig method

The no-dig gardening method is a sustainable practice that involves layering compost and other organic materials directly onto your garden beds without turning or tilling the soil. This approach helps to preserve the soil’s natural structure, maintain beneficial microorganisms, and reduce weed growth. Using our compost calculator to determine the right amount of compost for your garden, you can easily adopt the no-dig method and enjoy the benefits of a thriving, eco-friendly garden.

With our compost calculator tools, you can confidently plan your raised bed garden, knowing you have the appropriate amount of compost for optimal growth. Happy gardening!