Free landscaping and construction material calculators — gravel, mulch, concrete, pavers, fence, deck, grass seed — with bag counts, tons and cost estimates.https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/concrete-slab-cost/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/concrete-slab-cost/Concrete slabs cost $6–$12 per sq ft installed (2026). A 10×10 slab runs $600–$1,200. Full breakdown by size, thickness, and DIY vs. contractor with worked examples.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/overseeding-guide/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/overseeding-guide/Overseed cool-season lawns Aug 15–Oct 15; warm-season lawns in May–June. Mow low, dethatch or aerate, seed at half the new-seeding rate, water 2–3x daily for two weeks.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-to-lime-a-lawn/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-to-lime-a-lawn/Lime your lawn when soil pH is below 6.0 for most grasses. Apply up to 50 lb per 1,000 sq ft per application. Soil test first — overliming causes its own problems.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/fence-cost-per-foot/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/fence-cost-per-foot/Fence installation costs $10–$25/linear ft for chain link, $15–$35 for wood, $25–$45 for vinyl, and $35–$70 for wrought iron (2025 national ranges). Full budget guide.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/when-to-fertilize-lawn/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/when-to-fertilize-lawn/Cool-season lawns get most fertilizer in fall (Aug–Nov); warm-season lawns in late spring and summer. Schedules and nitrogen rates by grass type.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/fertilizer-numbers-explained/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/fertilizer-numbers-explained/The three fertilizer numbers are the NPK ratio: % nitrogen, % phosphate, % potash by weight. A 28-0-6 bag has 28% nitrogen and no phosphorus. How to read and use them.Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/paver-patio-cost/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/paver-patio-cost/Paver patios cost $8–$25 per sq ft installed for concrete pavers; $15–$50 for natural stone. A typical 280 sq ft patio runs $3,800. Full breakdown and budget example.Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/grass-seed-per-square-foot/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/grass-seed-per-square-foot/Kentucky bluegrass needs 2–3 lb per 1,000 sq ft; tall fescue needs 6–8 lb. Seeding rates by species for new lawns and overseeding, sourced from university extension.Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/gravel-driveway-cost/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/gravel-driveway-cost/Gravel driveways cost $1–$10 per sq ft in materials, or $4–$10 per sq ft installed. A typical 1,000 sq ft driveway runs $1,800 on average. Full cost breakdown inside.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-to-pour-a-concrete-slab/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-to-pour-a-concrete-slab/Pour a concrete slab in 8 steps: mark, excavate, build forms, add gravel base, pour, screed, finish, and cure. Full guide with material list and safety notes.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/when-to-plant-grass-seed/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/when-to-plant-grass-seed/Cool-season grasses seed best late August–October; warm-season grasses seed best late April–June. Soil temperature 50–65°F for cool-season, 65–75°F for warm-season.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/concrete-for-fence-posts/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/concrete-for-fence-posts/Most 4×4 fence posts need 1–2 bags of 80-lb concrete per post. Gate posts and corner posts need 2–4 bags. Hole size and depth determine actual concrete volume.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/sod-vs-seed/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/sod-vs-seed/Seed costs $0.05–0.20/sq ft; sod costs $0.50–1.50/sq ft installed. Seed wins on cost; sod wins on speed and slopes. Compare by lawn size, budget, and timeline.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/concrete-cure-time/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/concrete-cure-time/Concrete is walkable in 24–48 hours, ready for vehicles in 7 days, and at full design strength in 28 days. Temperature and mix type shift every milestone.Sat, 26 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/composite-vs-wood-decking/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/composite-vs-wood-decking/Wood decking costs $1,280–1,600 per 16x20 ft; composite runs $2,900–3,100. Wood needs staining every 2–3 years; composite near-zero maintenance. 25-year cost inside.Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/bagged-concrete-vs-ready-mix/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/bagged-concrete-vs-ready-mix/Use bagged concrete for under 1 cubic yard. Above that, ready-mix wins on cost and effort. Break-even is ~45 bags, where a truck becomes cheaper and faster.Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/deck-board-spacing/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/deck-board-spacing/Composite deck boards need a 3/16-in. side gap per Trex/TimberTech specs. Dry wood installs at 1/8 in.; wet-treated installs tight. End gaps vary by temperature.Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/rebar-vs-wire-mesh/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/rebar-vs-wire-mesh/Wire mesh controls shrinkage cracks in light slabs. Rebar provides structural strength for driveways and loaded slabs. Here's when to use each—and when to use both.Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/concrete-slab-thickness/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/concrete-slab-thickness/Patios and sidewalks need 4 inches. Driveways need 4–6 inches. Garage floors need 5–6 inches. Foundations need 8–12 inches. Thickness guide with ACI code references.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/deck-joist-spacing/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/deck-joist-spacing/Most decks use 16-inch joist spacing. Composite decking often requires 12 inches for diagonal boards. Full IRC Table R507.6 span limits by species and spacing.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-many-bags-of-concrete/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-many-bags-of-concrete/A 60-lb bag yields 0.45 cu ft; an 80-lb bag yields 0.60 cu ft. A 10×10 ft slab at 4 in thick needs 62 bags of 80 lb mix. Full table and worked math inside.Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/picket-spacing/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/picket-spacing/Calculate even picket spacing using: Gap = (Section width − Pickets × Picket width) ÷ (Pickets + 1). Pool code limits openings to 4 inches. Worked examples included.Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/what-is-a-cubic-yard/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/what-is-a-cubic-yard/A cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). It is the standard unit for ordering mulch, gravel, and concrete. Coverage table and conversion formula inside.Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/fence-post-spacing/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/fence-post-spacing/Wood fence posts go 8 feet on center; chain link goes 10 feet; vinyl matches manufacturer panel width (6–8 ft). Learn spacing by fence type and how to divide uneven runs.Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/raised-bed-soil-mix/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/raised-bed-soil-mix/The best raised bed soil mix is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% coarse perlite or vermiculite. Calculate exact cubic yards needed by length × width × depth ÷ 27.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/fence-post-depth/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/fence-post-depth/Fence posts for a 6-ft fence typically go 24–36 inches deep depending on your frost line and local code. Learn the 1/3 rule, frost depth lookup, and hole sizing.Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/topsoil-vs-garden-soil/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/topsoil-vs-garden-soil/Topsoil is unimproved mineral soil for grading and filling. Garden soil has compost and nutrients mixed in for planting. Use the right one or you'll waste money.Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/bagged-vs-bulk-mulch/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/bagged-vs-bulk-mulch/Bulk mulch costs 30–60% less than bagged mulch per cubic yard, but you need a minimum of 2–3 yards to make delivery worthwhile. Here is the break-even math.Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-to-lay-pavers/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-to-lay-pavers/Learn how to lay pavers in 10 steps: mark, excavate, compact base, screed sand, lay in pattern, cut, edge, and fill joints. Includes material math and slope rules.Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/retaining-wall-height-limits/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/retaining-wall-height-limits/Most jurisdictions require a permit for retaining walls over 4 feet (footing bottom to wall top). Learn permit triggers, engineer requirements, and surcharge rules.Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/types-of-mulch/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/types-of-mulch/Wood chips, bark nuggets, straw, rubber, and compost mulch each serve different jobs. This guide covers 7 common mulch types with cost, longevity, and best-use data.Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-deep-should-mulch-be/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-deep-should-mulch-be/Mulch should be 2–3 inches deep for most landscape beds. More than 4 inches smothers roots and promotes rot. Here's the right depth for every situation.Sun, 06 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/gravel-base-for-shed/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/gravel-base-for-shed/A gravel shed base needs 4–6 inches of compacted crusher run on a level pad 1 foot larger than the shed on each side. Step-by-step guide with material math.Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/retaining-wall-drainage/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/retaining-wall-drainage/Every retaining wall needs a 4-in. perforated drain pipe, 12 in. of clean gravel backfill, and outlets to daylight. Skip it and hydrostatic pressure topples the wall.Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/pea-gravel-vs-crushed-stone/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/pea-gravel-vs-crushed-stone/Pea gravel is smooth and decorative; crushed stone is angular and structural. Use crushed stone for driveways and bases; pea gravel for paths, drains, and play areas.Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-much-does-a-yard-of-gravel-weigh/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/how-much-does-a-yard-of-gravel-weigh/A cubic yard of gravel weighs 2,700–3,000 lbs (1.35–1.5 tons). Pea gravel runs lighter; crushed limestone heavier. Weight chart and truck payload guide inside.Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/polymeric-sand-guide/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/polymeric-sand-guide/Polymeric sand hardens after wetting to lock paver joints against weeds and erosion. Step-by-step guide covering joint size, temperature rules, and activation.Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/gravel-driveway-depth/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/gravel-driveway-depth/A gravel driveway needs 12 inches of total depth for new construction: 6 in compacted base, 4 in middle layer, 2 in top coat. Maintenance top-dressing takes 2–4 in.Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/paver-base-depth/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/paver-base-depth/Paver base depth depends on use: 4 in. for walkways, 6 in. for patios, 8–12 in. for driveways. Add 1 in. bedding sand. Full depth guide with worked examples.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/types-of-gravel/https://yardmath-7ce.pages.dev/articles/types-of-gravel/A plain-English guide to the most common gravel types—crushed stone, pea gravel, crusher run, river rock, and more—with uses, drainage, and cost data.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT