1. What is the Potting Soil Calculation?

The potting soil calculation determines the volume of soil needed to fill a cylindrical pot. It's based on the mathematical formula for the volume of a cylinder, converted to liters for practical gardening use.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cylinder volume formula:

Where:

• \( r \) — Radius of the pot (cm)
• \( h \) — Height of the pot (cm)
• \( \pi \) — Mathematical constant (~3.1416)
• 1000 — Conversion factor from cm³ to liters

Explanation: The formula calculates the volume in cubic centimeters then converts to liters by dividing by 1000.

3. Importance of Accurate Soil Measurement

Details: Proper soil measurement ensures you buy the right amount of potting mix, prevents overfilling or underfilling pots, and helps with proper plant nutrition and drainage.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure the radius (half of diameter) and height of your pot in centimeters. Enter these values to get the soil volume in liters needed to fill the pot.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Should I include drainage layer in height?
A: No, measure only the soil-holding portion of the pot's height.

Q2: What if my pot isn't perfectly cylindrical?
A: This calculation works best for standard cylindrical pots. For irregular shapes, consider adding 10-15% extra soil.

Q3: How much extra soil should I buy?
A: It's recommended to buy 10-20% more than calculated to account for settling and future top-ups.

Q4: Does this work for rectangular planters?
A: No, for rectangular containers use length × width × height (in cm) divided by 1000.

Q5: How often should I refresh potting soil?
A: Most plants benefit from fresh soil every 1-2 years, or when nutrients are depleted.