The Cost of Garden Soil calculator computes the cost information of Garden Soil or Potting Mix needed to fill a container or garden (volume).
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:
- (V) Volume of Soil
- (T) Type of Soil (Potting Mix or Garden Soil)
Cost of Soil (TC): The calculator returns the cost in U.S. dollars. However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.
The Math / Science
The formula has a pull-down option for cost of Garden Soil or Potting Mix. Based on this choice, vCalc will look up the latest price available in our database for pricing of soil (see Table). The cost is provided in U.S. dollars, and based on price observations in the United States. However, the answer can be automatically converted to other currencies (e.g. GBP - Great Britain Pound) via the pull-down menu.
This formula will round up on the number of bags used for pricing if the fraction part of the number of bags is greater than 10%.
Potting Mix and Garden Soil
Potting Mix is combination of organic materials (e.g., peat moss, aged bark and pumice) but no soil (dirt) that is used in lieu of potting soil to improve drainage. Because potting mix has no soil, it tends to be lighter than potting soil and provides a more sterile medium for plants with fewer disease carrying agents. Potting mix is most commonly recommended for plants in containers, and potting mix is particularly desirable for starting seeds. Garden Soil is a gardening product sold that contains natural soil (dirt) comprised of mixture of loam, clay and sand. Garden soil is often used in raised gardens or planters as a healthy and easy medium for plants and seeds on top of the natural soil in one's yard. Garden Soil differs from Potting Mix in that garden soil contains real soil (dirt), where Potting Mix does not.
Potting Mix and Garden Soil Price Survey
vCalc conducts a periodic pricing survey from nationally advertised retailers for various materials. The current Garden Soil Price Survey sample information for Garden Soil and Potting Mix is as follows:
- Date: 5/14/24
- Store: Menards
- Garden Soil (1 ft3): $6.49
- Garden Soil (1.5 ft3): $7.49
- Garden Soil (2 ft3): $9.99
- Potting Mix (1.25 ft3): $13.71
- Potting Mix (2.5 ft3): $27.43
Always use local pricing! There is NO implied guarantee that these prices are available in your area or that products will be available. This pricing is purely provided for estimation convenience.