1. What is the McGill Compost Calculator?

The McGill Compost Calculator helps determine the volume of compost needed for your project based on area and depth measurements. It's essential for proper soil amendment and landscaping projects.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple volume formula:

Where:

• \( Area \) — Area in square feet
• \( Depth \) — Depth in inches (converted to feet in calculation)

Explanation: The calculator converts depth from inches to feet before multiplying by area to give volume in cubic feet.

3. Importance of Volume Calculation

Details: Accurate volume calculation ensures you purchase the right amount of compost, avoiding waste or shortage for your gardening or landscaping project.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure your area in square feet and determine desired compost depth in inches. Enter these values to get the required volume in cubic feet.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I measure my area?
A: For rectangular areas, multiply length by width. For irregular shapes, break into smaller rectangles and add their areas.

Q2: What depth should I use?
A: Typical compost application is 1-3 inches for lawns, 3-6 inches for gardens, and 6-12 inches for new beds.

Q3: How does this convert to bags of compost?
A: Divide total cubic feet by the bag size (typically 1-2 cubic feet per bag) to determine number of bags needed.

Q4: Can I use this for bulk compost orders?
A: Yes, bulk compost is often sold by the cubic yard (1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet).

Q5: Does this account for compaction?
A: No, you may want to add 10-20% extra volume to account for settling over time.