Soil Amendment Calculator

Formula

The formula to calculate the Soil Amendment (SA) is:

\[ SA = \frac{A \times D \times R}{1000} \]

Where:

\(SA\) is the soil amendment needed (cubic yards)
\(A\) is the area to be amended (square feet)
\(D\) is the desired depth of amendment (inches)
\(R\) is the rate of amendment (pounds per cubic yard)

What is a Soil Amendment?

A soil amendment, also known as a soil conditioner, is a material added to soil to improve its physical properties, such as water retention, permeability, water infiltration, drainage, aeration, and structure. The goal is to provide a better environment for roots to grow, making plants healthier, more robust, and more productive. Amendments can be organic or inorganic, including compost, peat, manure, straw, lime, gypsum, and others.

Example Calculation

Let's assume the following values:

Area to be Amended (A) = 1000 square feet
Desired Depth of Amendment (D) = 6 inches
Rate of Amendment (R) = 50 pounds per cubic yard

Using the formula to calculate the Soil Amendment (SA):

\[ SA = \frac{A \times D \times R}{1000} = \frac{1000 \times 6 \times 50}{1000} = 300 \text{ cubic yards} \]

The Soil Amendment Needed (SA) is 300 cubic yards.