Garden Bed Math: new and updated pages New and updated Garden Bed Math tools and guides on soil and mulch volumes, USDA zones and planting dates, each with its source and check date. https://gardenbedmath.com/feed.xml 2026-10-13T00:00:00Z Garden Bed Math Paver Patio and Gravel Path Base: Dig, Order, Lay https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/patio-path-base/ 2026-10-13T00:00:00Z Set a string, dig paver plus sand plus gravel, compact in layers, edge it. A 10 x 12 patio takes a 7 3/8 in dig and 67 bags of gravel. Free checklist. Garden Systems: One Page per Garden Job https://gardenbedmath.com/systems/ 2026-10-13T00:00:00Z Garden systems from Garden Bed Math: one page per job, with the decision, the steps, what goes wrong and a free printable working copy. Garden Guides by Section | Garden Bed Math https://gardenbedmath.com/guides/ 2026-10-12T00:00:00Z Every Garden Bed Math guide, sorted by section: soil and mulch, beds, zones and containers. Each one has a printable checklist and a tool. Soil and mulch Guides: Problems Solved, Basics Explained https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/guides/ 2026-10-12T00:00:00Z Soil and mulch guides from Garden Bed Math: short reads on the problems behind the numbers, each with a checklist and a link to the tool. Soil and Mulch Purchase Record: Buy by the Cubic Foot https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/purchase-record/ 2026-10-12T00:00:00Z Turn every bag label and bulk quote into cubic feet before you pay. One example fall list needs 55.41 cu ft, or 48 bags. Steps, units and a free purchase log. Sources and Dates Checked | Garden Bed Math https://gardenbedmath.com/sources/ 2026-10-12T00:00:00Z Every outside figure used on Garden Bed Math, with the publisher, a link to the original and the date we last checked it. Border Mulch Refresh: Measure, Rake, Buy the Gap https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/border-mulch-refresh/ 2026-10-11T00:00:00Z Measure the old layer in every bed before you order. One example yard needs 23 bags of 2 cu ft, not 45. The steps, the 3 inch limit and a free mulch record. New In-Ground Bed This Fall: Dig It In or Sheet Mulch https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/new-in-ground-bed/ 2026-10-11T00:00:00Z Two ways to turn lawn into a bed this fall: a 4 x 10 ft bed takes 5 bags of compost dug in, or free leaves now and 3 to 5 bags in spring. Free bed log. Zones Guides: Problems Solved, Basics Explained https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/guides/ 2026-10-11T00:00:00Z Zones guides from Garden Bed Math: short reads on the problems behind the numbers, each with a checklist and a link to the tool. Plant Hardiness Log: Track What Survives Your Winters https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/plant-hardiness-log/ 2026-10-11T00:00:00Z Write down each perennial's tag zones, your zone and the spot, then check it every spring. A free one-page hardiness log, with the gap math by half zone. Yard Microclimate Map: Find Your Warm and Cold Spots https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/yard-microclimate-map/ 2026-10-11T00:00:00Z Your zone covers a half-mile square. Map your own yard's warm walls, frost pockets and shade in one weekend, then plant by it. Free microclimate sheet. Garden Bed Math: How Much Soil and Mulch Your Bed Needs https://gardenbedmath.com/ 2026-10-10T00:00:00Z Know how much soil, mulch and lumber your garden bed needs before you buy. Free calculators for US yards, plus zone, frost dates and printable sheets. Raised Bed Planning Tools: Lumber, Size and Layout https://gardenbedmath.com/beds/ 2026-10-10T00:00:00Z Plan a wooden raised bed: how many boards to buy, where to cut them, how tall the bed ends up and how much soil it will hold. First Raised Bed: Size, Build, Fill and First Planting https://gardenbedmath.com/beds/first-raised-bed/ 2026-10-10T00:00:00Z Plan a first raised bed from start to finish: pick the size, count the boards, cut the frame, fill it with the right amount of soil and plant. Free planner. Beds Guides: Problems Solved, Basics Explained https://gardenbedmath.com/beds/guides/ 2026-10-10T00:00:00Z Beds guides from Garden Bed Math: short reads on the problems behind the numbers, each with a checklist and a link to the tool. Raised Bed Lumber Calculator: Boards and Cut List https://gardenbedmath.com/beds/raised-bed-lumber-calculator/ 2026-10-10T00:00:00Z How many boards to buy for a wooden raised bed, and where to cut them: side lengths, a board-by-board cut plan, corner posts and the soil it will hold. Containers Guides: Problems Solved, Basics Explained https://gardenbedmath.com/containers/guides/ 2026-10-10T00:00:00Z Containers guides from Garden Bed Math: short reads on the problems behind the numbers, each with a checklist and a link to the tool. Fall Leaves Into Mulch: Shred, Spread, Count the Bags https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/fall-leaves-mulch/ 2026-10-10T00:00:00Z What to do with fall leaves: mow a thin layer into the lawn, shred the rest and spread 2 to 3 inches on beds. Free leaf haul tally to print. Fill a Tall Raised Bed for Less: Layer Fill Plan https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/fill-a-tall-raised-bed/ 2026-10-10T00:00:00Z Under 17 inches, fill with soil. Taller, put logs and leaves in the lower half: a 4 x 8 bed 24 in tall takes 16 bags of soil, not 32. Free layer fill plan. Spring Bulbs, Zones 8 to 10: Chill, Then Plant https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/spring-bulbs-zones-8-10/ 2026-10-10T00:00:00Z Tulips in zones 8 to 10: chill bulbs 6 to 8 weeks or more in the fridge, plant late December to early January about 5 inches deep, and log the bloom. Soil and Mulch Calculators for Raised Beds and Borders https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/ 2026-10-09T00:00:00Z Raised-bed soil, mulch, compost and topsoil calculators that give cubic feet, cubic yards and bag counts, using bag sizes printed by the makers. How Deep Should Mulch Be? Depths by Material https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/guides/how-deep-should-mulch-be/ 2026-10-09T00:00:00Z Two to 3 inches on most beds, deeper for whole leaves and straw, and never piled on a trunk. Extension depths side by side, plus the math for a top-up. Mulch Calculator: Bags and Cubic Yards for Any Bed https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/mulch-calculator/ 2026-10-09T00:00:00Z How much mulch a bed takes in cubic feet, cubic yards and 1.5 or 2 cu ft bags, at the depth you pick, with the 2 to 3 inch band worked out too. Garlic Planting, Zones 3 to 5: Bed Plan and Dates https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/garlic-zones-3-5/ 2026-10-09T00:00:00Z Plant garlic in zones 3 to 5 a week or two after your first fall frost: set the week, count cloves, plant 2 to 3 inches deep, mulch 3 to 4 inches and log it. Garlic Planting, Zones 8 to 10: Bed Plan and Dates https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/garlic-zones-8-10/ 2026-10-09T00:00:00Z Plant garlic in zones 8 to 10 in October, ahead of the first frost: count the cloves, set them 1 to 3 inches deep, mulch once shoots show and log the harvest. Spring Bulbs, Zones 3 to 5: Planting Map and Dates https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/spring-bulbs-zones-3-5/ 2026-10-09T00:00:00Z Plant spring bulbs in zones 3 to 5 around your first frost: daffodils from mid-September, tulips last, 6 to 8 inch holes, water, mulch and a written map. Spring Bulbs, Zones 6 to 7: Planting Map and Dates https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/spring-bulbs-zones-6-7/ 2026-10-09T00:00:00Z Plant tulips and daffodils in zones 6 to 7 from your own frost date: pick the week, count bulbs for the bed, dig 8 inch holes, mulch, water and log the bloom. Container Garden Calculators for Pots and Planters https://gardenbedmath.com/containers/ 2026-10-08T00:00:00Z Potting mix for pots, planters and window boxes in quarts, cubic feet and bags, with a printable pot list for balconies, patios and rentals. Container Soil Calculator: Potting Mix for Pots https://gardenbedmath.com/containers/container-soil-calculator/ 2026-10-08T00:00:00Z How much potting mix to buy for round pots, square planters and window boxes: quarts, cubic feet and bag counts, filled an inch below the rim. Raised Bed Soil Calculator: Cubic Feet, Yards and Bags https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/raised-bed-soil-calculator/ 2026-10-08T00:00:00Z How much soil fills a raised bed: cubic feet, cubic yards and a bag count for 1.5 or 2 cu ft bags, from the bed's length, width and depth. USDA Zone and Frost Date Tools by Zip Code https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/ 2026-10-08T00:00:00Z Find your 2023 USDA hardiness zone and your NOAA frost dates by zip code, with a printable hardiness log and a frost date card. Frost Dates by Zip Code (NOAA 1991-2020 Normals) https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/frost-date-lookup/ 2026-10-08T00:00:00Z Find the typical last spring and first fall frost for your zip code from NOAA 1991 to 2020 station normals, with the 1 in 10 year dates and a printable card. Frost Date Worksheet: Your Last and First Frost https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/frost-date-worksheet/ 2026-10-08T00:00:00Z Look up your zip code's NOAA frost dates, pick the station most like your yard, write four dates on a card and count planting and fall jobs from them. Garlic and Bulb Planting Calculator: How Many, How Deep https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/garlic-bulb-planting-calculator/ 2026-10-08T00:00:00Z How many garlic cloves or spring bulbs fit a bed or a row, how many heads to buy, and how deep to plant them, from extension spacing figures. Garlic Planting, Zones 6 to 7: Bed Plan and Dates https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/garlic-zones-6-7/ 2026-10-08T00:00:00Z Plant garlic in zones 6 to 7 from your own frost date: set the October week, count cloves for the bed, order heads, plant 2 inches deep, mulch and log it. USDA Hardiness Zone by Zip Code (2023 Map Data) https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/usda-zone-finder/ 2026-10-08T00:00:00Z Find your 2023 USDA plant hardiness zone by zip code, see its winter low band in °F and °C, and check a plant tag's zone range against it. Overwintering Plants in Pots: A Winter Plan for Each Pot https://gardenbedmath.com/containers/overwinter-pots/ 2026-10-07T00:00:00Z Keep potted perennials alive through winter: check each tag against your zone, then bury, group or garage every pot. Free pot winter plan to print. About Garden Bed Math | Garden Bed Math https://gardenbedmath.com/about/ 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z What Garden Bed Math does, how each garden tool and record is made, where its numbers come from and how to report a mistake. Contact | Garden Bed Math https://gardenbedmath.com/contact/ 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z How to reach Garden Bed Math: one email address for corrections, questions and ideas for new garden tools. Corrections | Garden Bed Math https://gardenbedmath.com/corrections/ 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z How to report a wrong number, zone or broken tool on Garden Bed Math, and what we do when a page turns out to be wrong. Disclaimer | Garden Bed Math https://gardenbedmath.com/disclaimer/ 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z Garden Bed Math is a planning guide, not a guarantee. Zone and frost data are averages; check bag labels and measure before you buy. Privacy | Garden Bed Math https://gardenbedmath.com/privacy/ 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z What Garden Bed Math collects (very little), what happens to the zip code or sizes you type into a tool, and what changes if analytics is added. Compost and Topsoil Calculator: Bags and Cubic Yards https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/compost-topsoil-calculator/ 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z How much compost or topsoil to buy for a garden bed or lawn: cubic feet, cubic yards and bag counts, plus the mix you get when you dig it in. Fall Raised Bed Reset: Clear, Top Up, Cover for Winter https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/fall-raised-bed-reset/ 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z Put a raised bed to bed in fall: clear finished plants, measure how far the soil sank, top it up with compost and cover it with leaves. Free checklist. Gravel and Paver Base Calculator: Bags and Cubic Yards https://gardenbedmath.com/soil/gravel-paver-base-calculator/ 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z How much gravel and sand to buy for a paver patio, walkway or gravel path: cubic feet, cubic yards, bag counts and how deep to dig. Terms of Use | Garden Bed Math https://gardenbedmath.com/terms/ 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z The terms for using Garden Bed Math: free garden planning tools, estimates you should check, and the rules on copying our pages. Know Your USDA Zone: Zone Card and Plant Tag Check https://gardenbedmath.com/zones/know-your-usda-zone/ 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z Find your 2023 USDA hardiness zone by zip code, write it on a zone card, and check plant tags against it, with two zones of margin for pots.