Compost Calculator

cubic yards
USD
USD

How to Calculate Compost Volume

  1. Basic Compost Volume Formula:
    \text{Volume (cubic yards)} = \frac{\text{Area (sq ft)} \times \text{Depth (inches)}}{324}
    Equivalent:
    \text{Volume (liters)} = \text{Area (sq meters)} \times \text{Depth (cm)} \times 10
    • Use for pots, garden beds, or no-dig setups.
  2. Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio Formula
    \text{C:N Ratio} = \frac{\text{Carbon Material (weight)}}{\text{Nitrogen Material (weight)}}
    • Balances the compost mix for optimal decomposition.

FAQs:

1. How do I figure out how much compost I need?

  • Measure the area in square feet or square meters.
  • Decide on the depth of compost application (in inches or cm).
  • Use the formulas above to calculate volume in cubic yards or liters.

2. What is the formula for composting?

  • Composting involves balancing the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio. Aim for a ratio of 30:1, ensuring proper microbial activity for decomposition.

3. How much compost is required for 1 acre?

  • For a 1-inch depth, the required compost is approximately 135 cubic yards per acre.

4. How much compost for 1000 sq ft?

  • For 1 inch depth:
    \text{Compost Volume} = \frac{1000 \times 1}{324} = 3.09 \, \text{cubic yards}

Practical Examples:

Compost Calculator in Liters

A gardener plans to fill pots with compost, requiring 2 sq meters at a depth of 5 cm.

  • Formula:
    \text{Volume (liters)} = 2 \times 5 \times 10 = 100 \, \text{liters}

How Many Bags of Compost Do I Need per Square Foot?

A 50-pound bag of compost covers 10 sq ft at 1 inch depth. For 100 sq ft:

  • Total bags required = \frac{100}{10} = 10 bags.

No-Dig Compost Calculator

For a no-dig garden of 5 sq meters, with compost depth of 10 cm:

  • Formula: \text{Volume (liters)} = 5 \times 10 \times 10 = 500 \, \text{liters}