How much bulk compost do I need? Bagged compost?
Good compost is a necessary component for any healthy garden or lawn. Use our calculator to figure out how much bulk compost or the number of compost bags you will need for your project.
Step 1:
Figure out the compost depth
How much compost you need, depends on how you're planning to use the compost. Generally, you should use 1/4 inch - 1/2 inch when placing the compost on top of the soil (or lawn), and two to three inches when tilling it into the soil.
For more specific information, look at the following project types below:
New Lawn Establishment
Place 1 to 2 inches of our Tilling Compost onto the top of the existing soil and mix to a depth of 6 to 8 inches prior to seeding or sodding your lawn.
Existing Lawn
Apply a ½ inch layer of our Topdressing Compost across the full lawn and rake the compost across the top of the lawn and into the aeration holes. If not aerating the lawn, apply ¼ inch of compost and then rake the compost.
Raised Beds
Place 1 to 2 inches of our Tilling Compost onto the top of the existing soil and mix to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. For containers, the percentage of compost in the soil should generally not exceed 25%.
Existing Gardens
Apply up to a 4 inch layer of our Topdressing Compost. Thinner layers (1/2 to 1 inch) will provide nutrients to your soil over time; thicker layers (2-4 inches) will also provide some weed suppression (also called a compost mulch or compost blanket).
Trees and Shurbs
Mix 25% our Tilling Compost with 75% of the soil from the planting hole.
Step 2:
See how much compost you need
Enter the area of your project: what is its length and width? Then enter the depth of compost that you need (from step 1) and press the calculate button.
You will need:
0 cubic yards bulk compost
0 bags of compost (1-cubic foot)
Browse our landscaping products: compost, topsoil, and mulch.
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